But, he admits, Belize police - especially in rural sections such as his - really don't handle many murder investigations. Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Chuck Goudie, Ann Pistone, Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Ross Weidner. US national killed in nightclub shooting #Belize 23 year old #LSU nursing student J'Bria Michelle Bowens an Indianapolis IN native lost her life Friday night 30 January 2022 when a gunman opened fire against a person outside Jaguar's nightclub on Ambergris Caye Belize. Anne Swaney from Chicago was that person - her life taken as she did yoga by herself on this riverside platform 1,700 miles from home; something no one could have predicted, and only her killer could have prevented. All Rights Reserved. There has been a noted increase in violent crime targeting tourists since the end of 2013. Read more of Garys work on his blog. Respect your surroundings and try to become one with your community. This story has been shared 130,601 times. 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.. The Belize Consulate in Washington, DC, called the shooting tragic, but told WSLS that it needed to find out more before it could comment. Officials said Swanks murder was one of four deadly incidents across the country in a four-day period, local news outlet Amandala reported. Officials said a San Pedro resident was killed three days later by two unknown masked men. Swank is not the first tourist to be killed in Belize, however his death occurred while on a fly fishing trip at a popular tourist attraction in Belize. They then performed CPR on her but unfortunately, she passed away. 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. The American tourist was taken to the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? The U.S. Embassy, in keeping with State Department policy, did not identify the victim. Its been a few years now since I moved to Belize and I think Ive assimilated well into my local community. 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. Im not sure if the recent decline in tourists is because of sargassum or increasing crime or both. WebThe 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, Jacqueline Abad, 53, and Sara WebTwo Americans were killed and five others were injured in a bus accident as they traveled in Belize on Wednesday as part of a Carnival Cruise Line trip. Drug-related crimes are also on the uptick. "At 8 a.m. yesterday, Anne went to the Mopan River to do her yoga practice," said Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu. She said the support she got from other teams was 'overwhelming. This should be a concern as Belize survives on tourism. Download. Increased level of Crime in Two South-side communities of Belize City force Government to Declare a State of Emergency in the areas. The US State Department confirmed the incident, but provided no further comment. 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. U.S. State Department Bureau of Diplomatic Security: 2015 report on Belize crime, U.S. State Department: Belize country report, Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, operated by U.S. State Department, Mt. Boys basketball: Check out the Section 9 tournament brackets, FAMU basketball splits even with Southern in homecourt finale doubleheader. 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. "Anne helped us evolve our business and our newsroom, but most importantly, she was a kind person who was always had a smile and a positive attitude.". Advertising Opportunity Looking for Internet marketing, social media presence and direct email exposure to a Belizean oriented market of over 500,000 individuals every month? "On the bus I felt safe but I would not want to be off the bus," said Brian Mielke, a Naperville resident. Please email us your news at [emailprotected]. In October 2022, the U.S. State Department listed Belize as a Level 2 travel advisory for Belize. The ninth murder this week in the country was 47-year-old Yolanda Requea, who was stabbed to death Sunday in San Ignacio. Corozal District saw an incident last year with the discovery of a local expat couple found strangled in a cane field. Prospect police investigating crash involving school bus, bike, Chicago mayoral race down to Vallas, Johnson in runoff election, Ice flies off SUV, smashing windshield: 'You could kill somebody'. WebThe police spokesperson told ABC News that the investigation is ongoing and nothing has been ruled out. 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. Both men went into the water to rescue her. John Burgos, Executive Director of the BTIA spoke with Breaking Belize News (BBN) today, explaining that he attended a public meeting in San Pedro hosted by the Commissioner of Police. We often hear I woke up and my computer/phone/purse was missing. By BBN Staff: An American national drowned on Wednesday night at Turneffe Island Resort. Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). According to the National Safety Council's study of census data, the chances of being killed in the air are around 1 out of 205,552, and one in 102 for the car. Police here do have a fairly high street presence. The attractive Belize tourism videos certainly don't tout the crime concern, and the U.S. State Department hasn't put Belize on its warning list of nearly 50 nations - including others in Central America - even though the fine print cites Belize high for "violent crimes such as armed robbery, home invasions, shootings, stabbings, murders, and sexual assaults" for "tourists at resorts and on the roads.". Thanks for contacting us. 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. 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. It holds a diverse number of species. They told the owner who called the police. Gary Paul Swank, 53, a cardiologist at Carilion Clinic, who was recently promoted to associate professor at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, was on vacation with his wife and school-age children when he was killed on Sunday, according to NBC affiliate WSLS. As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader. Until recently, the only notable murder involvement by a US citizen was the bizarre John McAfee situation on Ambergris Caye back in 2012. WebUS tourist killed by gunfire in Belize. Belize Prime Minister John Briceo confirmed that police have arrested a number of persons in connection with the murder of the American tourist. But since 2016 several foreigners have been murdered in Belize. Police told the outlet they believe Graniel was the target because just a day earlier, a gunman reportedly fired shots outside his apartment complex, and one of the rounds penetrated his front door. They were identified as Ernest Wills Sr., 49, Travis Cooke, 23, Allison Jones, 19, Jamar Martinez, 23, and Winston Santos, 40. 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. "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. At least 125 murders were committed in Belize in 2021. Crime Stoppers Belize says WE can be more active in the fight against CRIME! Cruise ship visitors disembarking for a few hours while at the port have been targeted by scammers. And then just this month, a US retiree living in Hopkins was found, although arrests have been made in this case. ANNUAL MAJOR CRIMES STATISTICS 1 file(s) 142.47 KB. Email us at [emailprotected] for more information. A Virginia doctor and his tour guide were murdered during a fly-fishing expedition in Belize, authorities said. Pretty much every visitor toRead More Is Guatemala City Safe? An expat in Placencia was also strangled in December 2017, found next to her rental vehicle. ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report. Check out how we can all use Crime http://t.co/85asUnyi, Ambergris Today (@ambergrisnews) August 31, 2012. Breaking Belize News invites you to share your story with the world. Dr. Swank was a well-respected and well-loved colleague who, each and every day, embodied the values that we hold dear. Tourism Review. Drugs? WebThere have been a few high-profile murders of tourists and expatriates. Join BBN mailing list for the latest news on Belize. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Denver boy, 8, suffers horrific injuries in fall from horse during Belize vacation, Tropical Storm Lisa expected to become season's next hurricane as it approaches Central America, 'Godfather' director Francis Ford Coppola's island lists for $2.2M, Shark surprise: Mysterious Arctic species found lurking in Caribbean. They were travelling along George Price Highway shortly before noon, in a small blue SUV being driven by their tour guide, Leon Garcia of Big John's Tour Business owner Lamont Lipka shot and killed in San Pedro The San Pedro Sun https://t.co/rambnluOZE via @SanPedroSun, The San Pedro Sun (@SanPedroSun) May 14, 2018. https://t.co/DOPUhxwZrt, Ambergris Today (@ambergrisnews) September 5, 2018. The transit of drugs, particularly cocaine and precursor chemicals for methamphetamine, has risen. Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. #BreakingNews #BelizeNews #StannCreekNews The body of Sherris Stringham was found last night by Police Officers near Pomona Village, 4 minors and 1 eighteen year old are said to be in Police Custody. As of Tuesday night, a person-of-interest had not been identified and no one had been detained for questioning. About bodies floating to shore and military personnel walking the beaches with automatic weapons. WebBelize 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 Swank and his tour guide, Mario Nestle Graniel Jr., 53, were killed during a fly-fishing expedition in the San Pedro Town lagoon five days after a group of five fishermen were shot to death in Swallow Caye. The entire Carilion family extends 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. My fear is, at some point, occupants will confront a suspect who enters a property and itll get violent. The gunmen began shooting at a group of people who were partying at Jaguars nightclub. In January 2014, two American citizens were kidnapped at gunpoint from a resort area near the western border with Guatemala. Investigators said that they were questioning a man who was seen fishing near the crime scene, but he was not considered a prime suspect at this time. In this part of the world, the most popular places for Americans and Chicagoans are also the most remote and the most difficult to get to, especially after a night of rain. See the State Departments travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories. PHOTOS: Anne Elizabeth McComb Swaney, 1976-2016. The commander in charge of the Anne Swaney investigation says he received training in the U.S. from the FBI. 2020, BreakingBelizeNews.com. 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.. One of the primary industries in the town is tourism, most notably scuba diving. Tourism Review Online Magazine 1 / 2020. Martinez was not known to the two men and the motive behind the shooting is unclear, authorities said. Swanks colleagues and patients grieved the sudden loss of a seasoned, caring doctor. Robberies and assaults have been reported in resort areas. WebTwo Carnival Cruise Line passengers were killed in a van accident during an independent tour in Belize. "We WebA tourist from Arizona has gone missing while on a catamaran tour on Rendezvous Caye in Belize, police there said Wednesday. Published by Teresa Romero , Feb 17, 2022. MEXICO CITY -- The United States Embassy in the 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. Join BBN mailing list for the latest news on Belize. Its Belize City that makes Belizes homicide rate so high (more on that below). We've received your submission. ANNUAL CRIME-COMPARATIVE 2020-2021. They had been missing for nearly a week. 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. Both men were rushed to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where they were pronounced dead. Cases of sexual assault against female travelers have also be been reported in that district. And all Americans are encouraged to register with the state department's Smart Traveler program whenever in a foreign country - a free service that allows for emergency contact. Tourists in Belize are often victims of theft, but few experience real violence. Authorities said Swaney was taken to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize, where she was pronounced dead. On Feb. 19, rival drug dealers opened fire at Art Beach Tulum, a restaurant on the outskirts of Tulum where an order of sea bass with asparagus risotto and seaweed cream goes for $35. Robbery? He saved my life and every time I went to his office, he was a very knowledgeable, patient and caring person, she said. WebBelize is a very corrupt and violent country and I don't mean just the drug gangs in Belize City which clearly makeup most of the murder. As already mentioned, the overwhelming majority of violent crime victims in Belize are Belizeans. ? Business dealings? But our colleague wasn't the only American killed recently in Belize. WebThe overwhelming majority of violent crime victims in Belize are Belizeans themselves, but recent years have seen an increase in these types of crimes against tourists and expats. Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local news outlets that Belize officers arrested two men, charging them with murder in the killing that occurred Friday night in San Pedro town. Identified and no one had been detained for questioning Rendezvous Caye in in. Her but unfortunately, she passed away assault against female travelers have also be been reported in resort areas is. Murders of tourists and expatriates who were partying at Jaguars nightclub three days later by unknown. Pistone, Barb Markoff, Christine Tressel and Ross Weidner while on a catamaran tour on Rendezvous Caye Belize. Unknown masked men one had been detained for questioning, police there said Wednesday embodied the that... 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