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CIB Sergeant Accused Of Shooting Civilian On The Right Eye Detained By Police
Written by CTV3 Publisher Wednesday, 22 February 2012 04:07
Tonight a member of the Belize Police Department attached to the CIB Branch in Belize City is in the hot seat after being accused of shooting a civilian on the right eye. Yesterday between the hours of 5:00pm and 6:00pm, the ecstasy that filled the atmosphere inside “Picame Bar” was overshadowed by screams, shouts and three gunshots!
Reports suggest that 32 year old Jorge Celiz was at the bar drinking with some friends when 36 year old Sergeant Roberto Novelo, who was off duty at the time, entered the establishment accompanied by a friend. A short while after an altercation ensued between Celiz and Novelo which ended up with Celiz being shot on the eye by a bullet fired from Novelo’s licensed 9mm pistol.
The victim was rushed to the KHMH were according to family members he is presently admitted under critical but stable condition.
Alva Ferguson, Sister
“Depende de lo que él me dijo ellos estaban socializándose en un bar entonces este policía llego haya, estaba off duty y estaba tomando parece pero a mi hermano ya le habían sacado pistola hace anos y ellos lo estaban molestando y entonces le saco pistola y cuando mi hermano vio la pistola entonces fue hacer struggle para quitárselo y en eso se fueron los balazos y uno de las balas toco la pared y reboto en su ojo del entonces el está en el hospital ahorita con la bala en su ojo.”
And while that is the family’s version, the police are being tight lipped about the entire situation. Today when we spoke to Officer In Charge of the Orange Walk Police Formation, Joseph Myvette, he simply told us that the matter is under investigation.
Joseph Myvette, OC, Orange Walk Police Station
“The incident is currently under investigation, the officer in question is detained and like any other crime all the necessary procedures were followed.”
Hipolito Novelo-Reporter
“Will name be released?”
Joseph Myvette, OC, Orange Walk Police Station
“Certainly, within a little while we are just trying to tie up some lose ends and record a few further statements which we should finish within the next two hours or so and then from there we are going to get those statements on to the DPP’s office for advice and then we release the name of the officer.”
Hipolito Novelo-Reporter
“I was told that the officer was off duty at the time?”
Joseph Myvette, OC, Orange Walk Police Station
“Yes, he was and he doesn’t work in Orange Walk.”
Hipolito Novelo-Reporter
“He had a weapon, does that weapon belongs to him?”
Joseph Myvette, OC, Orange Walk Police Station
“His personal license weapon and that was retain as exhibit in this case.”
Hipolito Novelo-Reporter
“I was also told that he was under the influence of alcohol.”
Joseph Myvette, OC, Orange Walk Police Station
“Yes, that is what we were told also and so were the others who were involved in the fight.”
Hipolito Novelo-Reporter
“Are you been able to share details of what occurred in the bar itself.”
Joseph Myvette, OC, Orange Walk Police Station
“No, we haven’t because we have only recorded about two statement at this point in time, we know for certain there was an altercation between the parties involved in which several shots were fired and we know for certain that a person was injured by one of the shots we believe.”
This afternoon Ferguson made it perfectly clear that the family was dissatisfied with the way the entire situation was handled.
Alva Ferguson, Sister
“Los policías no nos atendieron de la mejor manera y todavía mi hermano ya estaba en el hospital y tenía una bala en su ojo y el policía no quería hacer un blood test y finalmente lo hizo pero lo tenían suelto y andaba haya a fuera no se qué clase de cosa es eso pero lo que haiga pasado el no tenía que sacar una arma en público que no solo pudo haber lastimado a mi hermanito pero podía haber lastimado a otra gente y cualquiera cosa que haiga sido nadie tiene derecho a sacar una pistola el es un policía el debe de dar el ejemplo y los policías deben de hacer mejor que eso no nos trataron de la mejor manera.”
Jorge Celiz remains at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital where he is in a stable condition.
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