As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no WebTwo Carnival Cruise Line passengers were killed in a van accident during an independent tour in Belize. ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report. Our meeting first meeting was in the ER, Saunders said. Thanks for contacting us. The ninth murder this week in the country was 47-year-old Yolanda Requea, who was stabbed to death Sunday in San Ignacio. "Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment at this time.". 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. Authorities say its complicated because of the proximity to the Guatemala border. Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub. "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. Its been a few years now since I moved to Belize and I think Ive assimilated well into my local community. Police say criminal activity, including armed robbery, mugging and sexual assault, is a significant problem throughout Belize. They had been missing for nearly a week. An 18-year old suspect was charged. This stretch of winter into Spring Break is a popular time for Chicagoans to head south. "She was a trailblazer in the digital news space and was one of our first website employees," said John H. Idler, president and general manager of ABC7 Chicago. According to Nola.com, the victims name is JBria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University. Swanks colleagues and patients grieved the sudden loss of a seasoned, caring doctor. Nothing says Keep Out like a sign that says I can make it to this gate in 2.3 seconds, can you?. WebUS tourist killed by gunfire in Belize. Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted, it added. The San Pedro Barrier Reef. News. The U.S. Embassy, in keeping with State Department policy, did not identify the victim. Read it here: https://t.co/crTR6zsohu. The best thing you can have at home to keep you safe is a big dog. Become part of the Facebook community, like our Placencia Crime Watchgroupso you know whats happening in your area. Gary Paul Swank, 53, a cardiologist at Carilion Clinic, who was recently Its Belize City that makes Belizes homicide rate so high (more on that below). Jacqueline Abad, 53, and Sara Officials said a San Pedro resident was killed three days later by two unknown masked men. When they arrived near the seaside, they heard Nevis screaming for help. 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.. She had lived in the area for years and was selling her home. Drug-related crimes are also on the uptick. In a statement, Briceo described Bowens death as a random act of terrorism. One was Canadian and the other from the US. In January 2014, two American citizens were kidnapped at gunpoint from a resort area near the western border with Guatemala. Respected Voice of Tourism. Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub. ANNUAL CRIME-COMPARATIVE 2019-2020. Again, little news about this case or any arrests or convictions so far. As already mentioned, the overwhelming majority of violent crime victims in Belize are Belizeans. But our colleague wasn't the only American killed recently in Belize. San Pedro Town is the one and only town on the popular Caribbean island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. Sticking your head into the sand of one of our beautiful Caribbean beaches is not the best way to go. Like the previous cases mentioned, no leads or convictions, which seems to be the norm. ?Check out OSACs 2018 Crime and Safety Report on Belize to learn the most up-to-date traveler security information. What my research didnt tell me was about gunfire at night and conflicts at the Mexican border between drug runners. 4:50 pm CST. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. 2020, BreakingBelizeNews.com. The US State Department confirmed the incident, but provided no further comment. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. It holds a diverse number of species. San Pedro nightlife offers restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The most popular nightclub in town is Jaguars Temple. As the most-visited destination in the country, San Pedro is home to the second-largest barrier reed in the world. 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. Martinez was not known to the two men and the motive behind the shooting is unclear, authorities said. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law. 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. He has called on residents of San Pedro to stand with police as they hunt for criminals in the community. Police here do have a fairly high street presence. Also, Belize is no longer requiring testing for entry, regardless of vaccination status. They then performed CPR on her but unfortunately, she passed away. 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. Many of their vehicles, weapons and other equipment are provided by the U.S. Government. "On the bus I felt safe but I would not want to be off the bus," said Brian Mielke, a Naperville resident. 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. 1 file(s) 142.47 KB. The grisly slaying of a Virginia doctor coincided with a week-long bloodbath in Belize that left eight others murdered, according to a report. The United States Embassy in the Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of an American tourist there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation, Associated Press reported. We are fed up of the press conferences and constant claims that show crime is decreasing, said John Briceno, leader of the Peoples United Party. The state department also notes that Belize police lack resources to effectively investigate crimes. Columbus-area measles outbreak was the nation's largest in 2022. And Rhonda Saunders, a 10-year patient of Swanks, told FOX affiliate WFXR that she had 99 percent blockage in a blood vessel that the doctor had stented saving her life as well. 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. In the Cayo District, armed robberies occasionally occur near the western border with Guatemala, especially near Caracol to the south. According to reports, around 9 pm, American national Stephanie Nevis,34, was drinking at the resort when she was informed that the bar was closing. Local Mario Graniel and tourist Dr. Gary Swank were shot to death while on a fly-fishing tour on the lagoon side of Ambergris Caye. The police came with their canine unit, and the scent led them along the river but due to the darkness the search was called off for the night before finding her," Arzu told ABC7 Chicago. Ultimately, Mexico's murder rate may have risen to about 27 per 100,000, but its homicide rate is still only about half that of Honduras or El Salvador. Authorities said Swaney was taken to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize, where she was pronounced dead. 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. CHICAGO (WLS) -- The ABC7 I-Team reports on Police say the case remains open and investigations continue to solve the double murder. A physical check showed bruises on her neck and lacerations on either side of her head," Arzu said. 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. By Reuters NIAMEY, Niger - Gunmen on motorcycles killed six French tourists and two Nigeriens in a wildlife park in Niger on Sunday, a senior official said. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Breaking Belize News invites you to share your story with the world. Check out how we can all use Crime http://t.co/85asUnyi, Ambergris Today (@ambergrisnews) August 31, 2012. 1 file(s) 146.10 KB. A Canadian filmmaker was killed in January 2015 to the south of the district. WebThe police spokesperson told ABC News that the investigation is ongoing and nothing has been ruled out. The passengers were on the Carnival Vista, which left out of Galveston. However, the Prime Minister emphasized that San Pedro remains a safe place for people to visit. Brico stated he understands the outrage that exists in the community given the impact it can have on the vital tourism sector. This murder remains unsolved. Only three percent of Belize homicides result in convictions. Our house is secure, with solid windows, doors, locks, outside lights and more. 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. 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. One of the primary industries in the town is tourism, most notably scuba diving. Police teams resumed searching Friday morning. She was staying at the Nabitunich Farm near a tiny town called San Jose Succotz. An autopsy shows that an American news producer found dead while staying in a vacation resort in Belize was strangled. ? 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.. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Chuck Goudie, Ann Pistone, Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Ross Weidner. Please email us your news at [emailprotected]. Thanks for contacting us. Statistics matter and how statisticsRead More A Few Words About the Costa Rica Murder Rate. This is the generic advice Id give to people traveling anywhere. Contact us at mrkt[emailprotected]kngblznw.m or call us at 501-601-0315. Contact us at mrkt[emailprotected]kngblznw.m or call us at 501-601-0315. The U.S. Embassy, in keeping with State Department policy, did not identify the victim. 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. Juan reported her missing Thursday afternoon. She apparently had planned to go on a horseback expedition Thursday morning, but when the group came up one animal short, Swaney stayed behind. Criminals often operate in groups and target persons traveling alone. U.S. Embassy officials urge visitors to Belize to travel only in groups, only during the day; avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuables. There is not a nationwide tourist advisory in effect for Belize. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? All Rights Reserved. Jerry Espat was killed in October in the waters off Ambergris Caye, while taximan Leo Skeen was killed at his home. Police say that Swank was killed because he was a witness to the murder of tour guide Mario Graniel. PHOTOS: Anne Elizabeth McComb Swaney, 1976-2016. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader. ', 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. Gary Peterson lives on the Placencia Peninsula, Belize, where he writes books about Central America and the Caribbean. The question is, will they stick? 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.. Winter into Spring Break is a popular time for Chicagoans to head.... 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