10:45 am CST. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The transit of drugs, particularly cocaine and precursor chemicals for methamphetamine, has risen. Business owner Lamont Lipka shot and killed in San Pedro The San Pedro Sun https://t.co/rambnluOZE via @SanPedroSun, The San Pedro Sun (@SanPedroSun) May 14, 2018. The Belize Consulate in Washington, DC, called the shooting tragic, but told WSLS that it needed to find out more before it could comment. An 18-year old suspect was charged. MEXICO CITY (AP) The United States Embassy in the tiny Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen 1 file(s) 142.81 KB. What my research didnt tell me was about gunfire at night and conflicts at the Mexican border between drug runners. Contact us at mrkt[emailprotected]kngblznw.m or call us at 501-601-0315. Email us at [emailprotected] for more information. The many Belizeans who are assaulted and the many businesspersons who are held at gunpoint, beaten and their establishment are robbed are a persistent reminder that crime continues to rise.. San Pedro nightlife offers restaurants, bars and nightclubs. As far as if its safe to come to Belize, I say yes as long as you keep your eyes open and your wits about you. CHICAGO (WLS) -- The ABC7 I-Team reports on In the Cayo District, armed robberies occasionally occur near the western border with Guatemala, especially near Caracol to the south. ? Police say criminal activity, including armed robbery, mugging and sexual assault, is a significant problem throughout Belize. Web(Statistics from the Belize Police Department) CRIMES COMPARATIVE JANUARY 2022 2023. pic.twitter.com/94qBPRi2F4, Belize.com (@Belizean) December 31, 2022. She was talking to another man around 8:30 p.m. in a yard when the mans wife showed up and stabbed her out of jealousy, according to Amandala. The incident could have far-reaching implications on the tourism sector, which when taken in the larger context of the services sector, helps account for over 50 percent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product. WebUS tourist killed by gunfire in Belize. For more info, visit our Affiliate Disclosure Page. Gary Paul Swank, 53, a cardiologist at Carilion Clinic, who was recently promoted to associate professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, was on vacation with his wife and school-age children when he was killed on Sunday, according to NBC affiliate WSLS. Gary Peterson lives on the Placencia Peninsula, Belize, where he writes books about Central America and the Caribbean. No suspect has been released in the fishermens murders, but investigators believe pirates executed the five men and threw their bodies into the sea, the outlet reported. 2019, BreakingBelizeNews.com. This stretch of winter into Spring Break is a popular time for Chicagoans to head south. A year ago, in a remote sugar cane field near the Mexican border, a farmer found the bodies of Drew DeVoursney and his girlfriend Francesca Matus. The American tourist was taken to the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. Thanks for contacting us. Criminals often operate in groups and target persons traveling alone. As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no one had been detained for questioning. Both men went into the water to rescue her. My fear is, at some point, occupants will confront a suspect who enters a property and itll get violent. Brico stated he understands the outrage that exists in the community given the impact it can have on the vital tourism sector. One was Canadian and the other from the US. The United States Embassy in the tiny Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation. But we are now witnessing more serious crimes creep into the south and out to the islands where the tourists go. However, New Orleans media outlet nola.com identified her as JBria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University. Our thoughts, prayers and attention are now focused on helping his family navigate this difficult time.. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub. News. Burgos explained that police made several commitments coming out of the meeting including adding 12 more constables for San Pedro, installing video cameras for 24-hour surveillance, obtaining Coast Guard support for boat patrols on lagoon and deep sea, drafting new legislation to keep the identity of witnesses protected, which will come after a meeting between the ComPol and the Prime Minister, and implementing new strategies to deal with gangs among others. Belize was included on the FY12, 13 and 14 U.S. Majors List of illegal narcotic producing and/or transit countries. As the most-visited destination in the country, San Pedro is home to the second-largest barrier reed in the world. Posted: Friday, June 28, 2019. Read more of Garys work on his blog. Graniels body was discovered inside the boat with multiple apparent gunshot wounds, and Swanks body was found floating face-down in the lagoon, about 30 feet away from the boat also with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. Swank is not the first tourist to be killed in Belize, however his death occurred while on a fly fishing trip at a popular tourist attraction in Belize. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local outlet 7 News Belize on Saturday that two men had been arrested and charged with murder in the killing that occurred Friday night in San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye, a popular tourist destination. Thanks for contacting us. Join BBN mailing list for the latest news on Belize. WebThere have been a few high-profile murders of tourists and expatriates. Investigators said that they were questioning a man who was seen fishing near the crime scene, but he was not considered a prime suspect at this time. Both men were rushed to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where they were pronounced dead. The question is, will they stick? Alison MacKenzie, 43, of Arizona, was among a group of tourists who on Friday embarked on an overnight excursion to Rendezvous Caye, a tiny island off the coast of Belize. WebUS tourist killed by gunfire in Belize The United States Embassy in the tiny Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation By The Associated Press January 1, 2023, 3:15 PM A member of the tour group reported that when they woke up the next morning around 6:00 a.m., MacKenzie was nowhere to be found, according to a spokesperson for the Belize Police Department. His absence leaves a void in our team and in our community. Remember, were only talking about foreigners murdered here. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader. Authorities said Swaney was taken to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize, where she was pronounced dead. She was already dead on arrival. Its also the only nightclub that opens after midnight. Plan is to increase Police Presence and Power of Authority. 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I was stunned, I was shocked, I had tears because I was so excited about seeing him at my next visit., The State Department has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Belize, urging increased caution as violent crime such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.. She was staying at the Nabitunich Farm near a tiny town called San Jose Succotz. This couple from Naperville took a bus inland from their cruise ship and say they might not have gotten off had they known the crime stats. According to the document, the country urges increased caution due to high levels of violent crime, such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.. However, tourists are told to exercise a high degree of caution due to an increasing rate of violent crime throughout the country. Swaney, 39, was an avid world traveler and on a vacation in the Cayo District of western Belize, a popular destination for American adventure travelers and horse enthusiasts. Belize Prime Minister John Briceo confirmed that police have arrested a number of persons in connection with the murder of the American tourist. Gary Paul Swank, 53, a cardiologist at Carilion Clinic, was shot dead Sunday as officials say the tourist destination has become paralyzed by crime, Belize Live News reported. Swank and his tour guide, Mario Nestle Graniel Jr., 53, were killed during a fly-fishing expedition in the San Pedro Town lagoon five days after a group of five fishermen were shot to death in Swallow Caye. Business dealings? MEXICO CITY -- The United States Embassy in the Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation. But our colleague wasn't the only American killed recently in Belize. In January 2014, two American citizens were kidnapped at gunpoint from a resort area near the western border with Guatemala. Jerry Espat was killed in October in the waters off Ambergris Caye, while taximan Leo Skeen was killed at his home. Wheres the best hospital nearRead More Wheres the Best Hospital Near Me in Central America? The In December 2022, Belize dropped all Covid-related travel restrictions. Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. We've received your submission. It was the emerald hills of western Belize that attracted ABC7 web producer Anne Swaney. Crime is an issue which should never be made political, its a problem that requires all sectors of society to fight it together.. They had been missing for nearly a week. Burgos stressed that getting the situation under control is important to the economic wellbeing of the tourism sector so the BTIA will be following up with the relevant authorities on those commitments. See the State Departments travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories. Drugs? Its been a few years now since I moved to Belize and I think Ive assimilated well into my local community. Download. Swanks colleagues and patients grieved the sudden loss of a seasoned, caring doctor. Columbus-area measles outbreak was the nation's largest in 2022. After a number of recent high-profile tourist/expat homicides, we look at crime in Belize and try to determine how safe it actually is right now. 4:50 pm CST. Robbery? Statistics matter and how statisticsRead More A Few Words About the Costa Rica Murder Rate. The most popular nightclub in town is Jaguars Temple. Officials said Swanks murder was one of four deadly incidents across the country in a four-day period, local news outlet Amandala reported. State Department also advised that travelers must exercise caution while traveling to the south side of Belize City. And then just this month, a US retiree living in Hopkins was found, although arrests have been made in this case. My first trip to Belize took me to Ambergris Caye and my research told me the usual stuff. Please email us your news at [emailprotected]. Our house is secure, with solid windows, doors, locks, outside lights and more. "Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment at this time.". Please email us your news at [emailprotected]. The grisly slaying of a Virginia doctor coincided with a week-long bloodbath in Belize that left eight others murdered, according to a report. Many of their vehicles, weapons and other equipment are provided by the U.S. Government. 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Following the murder of tourist Dr. GarySwank, 53, in San Pedro last week, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) has reported that as of yesterday, seven properties across the country have seen tourists cancel trips scheduled for November, December and even January 2020. ANNUAL In this part of the world, the most popular places for Americans and Chicagoans are also the most remote and the most difficult to get to, especially after a night of rain. The tourist was not the intended target, it just so happened she was in the line of fire between these two factions, Williams told 7 News Belize. "We don't really have any areas around here that are off limits to, we don't say don't go somewhere," said Tom Thomas, a resort operator. This story has been shared 130,601 times. ', Death toll keeps rising in Greece's deadliest train crash, Brunt of storm moving out of SoCal, light showers on tap Wednesday, AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon. 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