By Breaking Belize News Staff: Police have revealed new details surrounding Saturday’s murder of 31-year-old Herbert Belloso in Ladyville, including that he had previously been detained as a person of interest in another murder investigation.
Belloso, who was also sentenced to prison for drug trafficking in 2022, was reportedly pursued and shot after several armed men exited a vehicle near a store.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith told reporters during Sunday’s emergency police briefing that Belloso was murdered at approximately 11:15 a.m. on October 31 in the vicinity of Compassion Lane.
According to investigators, Belloso was at a store when a blue Chevrolet Equinox approached and stopped nearby.
Three men exited the vehicle, two of whom were armed.
Upon noticing the armed men, Belloso attempted to flee but was pursued and shot, sustaining fatal injuries.
As previously reported by Breaking Belize News, a source indicated that Belloso had been shot with a shotgun, sustaining a severe injury to his head.
During Sunday’s briefing, Smith declined to confirm the type of firearm used in the murder.
She also revealed that Belloso had previously been detained in connection with an earlier murder investigation in Ladyville.
However, investigators did not obtain sufficient evidence to charge him, although he remained a person of interest in that investigation.
Breaking Belize News has also confirmed that Belloso was previously convicted of drug trafficking in July 2022.
According to BBN’s July 28, 2022 court report, Belloso, who was 27 at the time, appeared before the Belize City Magistrate’s Court after police discovered 28.9 grams of crack cocaine concealed in his underwear.
Police had intercepted a Ford Ranger pickup in which Belloso and another man were travelling.
Belloso pleaded guilty to possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply, allowing the other accused to go free.
He was sentenced to two years at the Belize Central Prison and fined $10,000, which was to be paid by December 31, 2022, or he would face an additional three years in prison.
Meanwhile, police have identified a vehicle of interest in Saturday’s murder and are pursuing leads.
Smith said investigators have not conclusively established whether Belloso’s killing is connected to the earlier murder investigation or other recent shootings.
There is also no established connection between Belloso’s previous drug-trafficking conviction and his murder.
The investigation continues.
The post Herbert Belloso chased down and murdered in Ladyville; victim previously convicted of drug trafficking and detained in murder investigation appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Police have revealed new details surrounding Saturday’s murder of 31-year-old Herbert Belloso in Ladyville, including that he had previously been detained as a person of interest in another murder investigation. Belloso, who was also sentenced to prison for drug trafficking in 2022, was reportedly pursued and shot after several armed
The post Herbert Belloso chased down and murdered in Ladyville; victim previously convicted of drug trafficking and detained in murder investigation appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
