By Breaking Belize News Staff: An emotional and heart-wrenching victim impact statement from the mother of slain 21-year-old Floyd McFadzean filled the High Court on Wednesday as Justice Derick Sylvester reserved sentencing for Shenyon Levi Barrow, the young man convicted in the fatal shooting.
Barrow, now 20, appeared before Justice Sylvester for mitigation submissions as the court considers an appropriate sentence for the murder of McFadzean, a Belize City messenger who was gunned down in the early hours of Saturday, March 22, 2025, on Cemetery Road.
Barrow was just 18 years old when he was charged and arraigned for the murder.
During the hearing, no live character witnesses were called on Barrow’s behalf. However, his attorney, Michael Peyreffitte, submitted written sentencing recommendations urging leniency under the new sentencing guidelines. After hearing from both the Crown and the defense, Justice Sylvester deferred his sentencing decision until June 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
Before the adjournment, the court heard directly from McFadzean’s grieving mother, whose victim impact statement moved the courtroom.
Fighting back tears, she recalled receiving the devastating call that her son had been shot shortly after midnight.
“From that day our lives changed. We got a call no parent wanted to receive. Our son had been shot,” she said.
She described the lasting trauma of seeing her son’s body at the scene and the emotional toll his death has had on the family.
“Losing my son, I felt like I was losing my mind. His grandmother’s health decreased, and she too followed him. I had to have therapy. He was only 21. He was robbed of his life.”
She added that the family continues to feel his absence during holidays, birthdays, and even simple daily routines, saying they never had the chance to say goodbye or give him one final hug.
Despite her pain, McFadzean’s mother told the court she held “no resentment.”
Immediately after hearing her statement, Barrow addressed the family and offered an apology.
“I just wah seh to the family that I am so sorry as to what took place. I pray that they forgive me,” Barrow said.
The fatal shooting occurred just after midnight on March 22, 2025, when McFadzean was driving a white Ford Fusion along Cemetery Road with several other men inside the vehicle. Police said two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on the car near First Choice Pharmacy, fatally injuring McFadzean and causing the vehicle to crash into a drain near Constitution Park.
Three other men — Deon Gladden, Troy Gentle, and Jahiem Bent — were also injured in the barrage of gunfire but survived.
Justice Sylvester is expected to hand down Barrow’s sentence when the matter resumes on June 2.
The post Shenyon Barrow awaits sentencing for Floyd McFadzean murder; Barrow apologizes to family in court, McFadzean’s mom says she needed therapy appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: An emotional and heart-wrenching victim impact statement from the mother of slain 21-year-old Floyd McFadzean filled the High Court on Wednesday as Justice Derick Sylvester reserved sentencing for Shenyon Levi Barrow, the young man convicted in the fatal shooting. Barrow, now 20, appeared before Justice Sylvester for mitigation submissions as
The post Shenyon Barrow awaits sentencing for Floyd McFadzean murder; Barrow apologizes to family in court, McFadzean’s mom says she needed therapy appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.