Thanks for contacting us. By Reuters NIAMEY, Niger - Gunmen on motorcycles killed six French tourists and two Nigeriens in a wildlife park in Niger on Sunday, a senior official said. WebUS tourist killed by gunfire in Belize The United States Embassy in the tiny 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 By The Associated Press January 1, 2023, 3:15 PM An 18-year old suspect was charged. A member of the tour group reported that when they woke up the next morning around 6:00 a.m., MacKenzie was nowhere to be found, according to a spokesperson for the Belize Police Department. There is not a nationwide tourist advisory in effect for Belize. Tourism Review. 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. They were identified as Ernest Wills Sr., 49, Travis Cooke, 23, Allison Jones, 19, Jamar Martinez, 23, and Winston Santos, 40. WebFormer Belize City Councilor and Justice of the Peace Rafael Chavez dies at 71 February 26, 2023 Crime Teenage woman held up in Belize City, loses jewelry and other valuables Many of their vehicles, weapons and other equipment are provided by the U.S. Government. She apparently had planned to go on a horseback expedition Thursday morning, but when the group came up one animal short, Swaney stayed behind. Tourism Review Online Magazine 1 / 2020. Remember, were only talking about foreigners murdered here. (And Which Parts Should I Visit And/Or Avoid?). Corozal District saw an incident last year with the discovery of a local expat couple found strangled in a cane field. 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. Drugs? The 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, Associated Press reported. 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. Teresa Hodges, a patient of Swanks for 13 years, told the outlet she was devastated to hear what had happened. However, tourists are told to exercise a high degree of caution due to an increasing rate of violent crime throughout the country. Central America stories, info, news, and opinion coming to you from local and expat writers in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Our house is secure, with solid windows, doors, locks, outside lights and more. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader. Robberies and assaults have been reported in resort areas. WebSwank 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. The I-Team traveled to Central America after Anne was killed. If you read the US State Departments OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council) Crime & Safety Report for Belize in 2018, youll see the words exercise increased caution. An expat in Placencia was also strangled in December 2017, found next to her rental vehicle. However, New Orleans media outlet nola.com identified her as JBria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University. In May 2018, a gunman shot dead a Texan expat in his popular San Pedro restaurant in the early evening. Join BBN mailing list for the latest news on Belize. Boys basketball: Check out the Section 9 tournament brackets, FAMU basketball splits even with Southern in homecourt finale doubleheader. pic.twitter.com/94qBPRi2F4, Belize.com (@Belizean) December 31, 2022. Swank and popular local tour guide Mario Nestle Graniel Jr., also 53, went fly fishing in the San Pedro Town lagoon around 10 a.m. when a dark skiff passed by and someone opened fire on their small boat, local authorities told the San Pedro Sun. 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. 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 An official with the U.S. Department of State told ABC News in a statement, "We are aware of reports of a U.S. citizen missing in Rendezvous Caye, Belize. Or were they just in the wrong place at the wrong time? When they arrived near the seaside, they heard Nevis screaming for help. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. But since 2016 several foreigners have been murdered in Belize. "What we say to all tourists is that you should be situationally aware, be cautious and just be aware of your surroundings," Pike said. Police here do have a fairly high street presence. No suspect has been released in the fishermens murders, but investigators believe pirates executed the five men and threw their bodies into the sea, the outlet reported. If he had not been the type of doctor that he was, I probably would not have seen him. "We offer our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones on their loss," said a U.S. State Department spokesman in Washington. The U.S. Embassy, in keeping with State Department policy, did not identify the victim. Join BBN mailing list for the latest news on Belize. Graniels body was discovered inside the boat with multiple apparent gunshot wounds, and Swanks body was found floating face-down in the lagoon, about 30 feet away from the boat also with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. Juan reported her missing Thursday afternoon. 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. The grisly slaying of a Virginia doctor coincided with a week-long bloodbath in Belize that left eight others murdered, according to a report. https://t.co/FQFt9PRVaS, Stars and Stripes (@starsandstripes) May 30, 2018. 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'. 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. ABC News' Christine Theodorou contributed to this report. MEXICO CITY (AP) 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. The police came with their canine unit, and the scent led them along the river but due to the darkness the search was called off for the night before finding her," Arzu told ABC7 Chicago. We often hear I woke up and my computer/phone/purse was missing. In January 2016, a vacationing news anchor from Chicago died in Cayo District. I treat everyone the same, ask for help, and return the favor. 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. Breaking Belize News invites you to share your story with the world. WebBelow find the latest compiled statistical information on the Tourism Industry in Belize. But, he admits, Belize police - especially in rural sections such as his - really don't handle many murder investigations. WebCosta Rica Sarcasm & Fun. 1 file(s) 142.81 KB. Posted: Friday, June 28, 2019. Tourists in Belize are often victims of theft, but few experience real violence. Is Guatemala City Safe? David Martinez, 23, reportedly was shot eight times by the gunmen, who ambushed him from the bushes in a Corozal Town yard. Nevis then reportedly walked toward the seaside. In a statement, Briceo described Bowens death as a random act of terrorism. "At 8 a.m. yesterday, Anne went to the Mopan River to do her yoga practice," said Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu. Police say that Swank was killed because he was a witness to the murder of tour guide Mario Graniel. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. 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. 1 file(s) 142.81 KB. WebA Virginia doctor and his tour guide were murdered during a fly-fishing expedition in Belize, authorities said. In January 2014, two American citizens were kidnapped at gunpoint from a resort area near the western border with Guatemala. Both men went into the water to rescue her. San Pedro has long enjoyed peace and security as a result of strong, disciplined Police presence and solid community support, he said. The country also lifted the mask mandate, but travelers may still need a mask for their inbound flight and inside the airport. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader. Both men were rushed to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where they were pronounced dead. Also, Belize is no longer requiring testing for entry, regardless of vaccination status. Posted: Thursday, November 26, 2020. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. But our colleague wasn't the only American killed recently in Belize. "Definitely it hits the entire industry of Belize for tourists," said Karen Pike, Belize Tourism Board. Officials said a San Pedro resident was killed three days later by two unknown masked men. Breaking Belize News is able to offer a marketing package that uses internet, social media and email to reach over 500,000 Belizean-centric potential customers each month. The ninth murder this week in the country was 47-year-old Yolanda Requea, who was stabbed to death Sunday in San Ignacio. Respect your surroundings and try to become one with your community. Jacqueline Abad, 53, and Sara They told the owner who called the police. PHOTOS: Anne Elizabeth McComb Swaney, 1976-2016. WebThe police spokesperson told ABC News that the investigation is ongoing and nothing has been ruled out. 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. "It doesn't tell me that we believe this is going to happen again or something we can really do to prevent it," Thomas said. Gary Paul Swank, 53, a cardiologist at Carilion Clinic, who was recently The police spokesperson told ABC News that the investigation is ongoing and nothing has been ruled out. Burgos explained that police made several commitments coming out of the meeting including adding 12 more constables for San Pedro, installing video cameras for 24-hour surveillance, obtaining Coast Guard support for boat patrols on lagoon and deep sea, drafting new legislation to keep the identity of witnesses protected, which will come after a meeting between the ComPol and the Prime Minister, and implementing new strategies to deal with gangs among others. Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. If youre moving here, get involved with a Neighborhood Watch scheme they do exist here. Belize was included on the FY12, 13 and 14 U.S. Majors List of illegal narcotic producing and/or transit countries. When you include them with the total number of murders (142 in 2017) in a country with the population of Tampa, Florida, you have one of the highest homicide rates in the world. 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. The San Pedro Barrier Reef. Lets Talk About What Others Wont Crime In Belize. Wheres the best hospital nearRead More Wheres the Best Hospital Near Me in Central America? At least 125 murders were committed in Belize in 2021. U.S. Embassy officials urge visitors to Belize to travel only in groups, only during the day; avoid wearing jewelry or carrying valuables. Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub. Alison Mackenzie, 43, went missing early Saturday "A horse riding tour returned in the afternoon and found her personal effects on the deck. According to the document, the country urges increased caution due to high levels of violent crime, such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.. 4:50 pm CST. What about now? Police say the case remains open and investigations continue to solve the double murder. "On the bus I felt safe but I would not want to be off the bus," said Brian Mielke, a Naperville resident. Authorities said Swaney was taken to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize, where she was pronounced dead. ANNUAL MAJOR CRIMES STATISTICS 1 file(s) My fear is, at some point, occupants will confront a suspect who enters a property and itll get violent. 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. Download. This is the generic advice Id give to people traveling anywhere. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? It was the emerald hills of western Belize that attracted ABC7 web producer Anne Swaney. Last fall, a man from Washington D.C was stabbed to death in his seaside hotel room; another U.S. national was attacked and killed on his farm; and a Canadian film producer was stabbed in the doorway of the home where he was staying. 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. An autopsy shows that an American news producer found dead while staying in a vacation resort in Belize was strangled. The state department also notes that Belize police lack resources to effectively investigate crimes. One was Canadian and the other from the US. A Canadian filmmaker was killed in January 2015 to the south of the district. She was talking to another man around 8:30 p.m. in a yard when the mans wife showed up and stabbed her out of jealousy, according to Amandala. 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