On the evening of Thursday, December 21, 2023, the tranquility of Belize was ruptured by two separate stabbing incidents involving police officers. In the first incident, Officer Perfecto Tush, stationed at the Maya Mountain Grocery Shop in Red Bank Village, Stann Creek District, was stabbed multiple times. The incident transpired when Tush, feeling threatened, used pepper spray on a group of men. This action triggered a violent response from one of the men, Carmelo Cholom. Cholom, under the influence of alcohol, allegedly stabbed Officer Tush, causing severe injuries to his face, arm, and torso. Another man, Jason Sho, a bystander, sustained a stab wound to his back while trying to intervene in the altercation.
The Second Incident
Later the same night, another stabbing incident occurred in Belize City. Constable Faustino Makin was found near the Novelos Bus Terminal with a significant cut wound to his mouth. The assailant was identified as 69-year-old local, Richard Williams, believed to be mentally ill. Makin was promptly taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.
An Uptick in Violence
These consecutive stabbings have shaken the Belizean community, highlighting the safety risks that police officers face in the line of duty. The incidents have sparked ongoing investigations into the circumstances leading to such violent events. In particular, the case involving Richard Williams has raised questions about the treatment and care of mentally ill individuals in Belize, hinting at a larger societal issue that needs addressing.
Looking Forward
As Belize grapples with these unsettling incidents, the spotlight is now on the Belize Police Department and other relevant authorities to ensure the safety of their officers and the general public. The incidents underscore the need for preventative measures, better training for officers to handle confrontations, and improved mental health services for the Belizean population.
0 Comments