Huge turnout for candlelight vigil in memory of slain teenager Chris Rodriguez on Wednesday evening in San Ignacio-Santa Elena

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The candlelight vigil in memory of slain teenager Chris Anthony Rodriguez on Wednesday evening was attended by a huge turnout of citizens, mostly young people, in San Ignacio-Santa Elena.

The vigil set off from Rodriguez’s home at 89 George Price Avenue (Rodriguez Residence) in Santa Elena and headed to Norman Broaster Stadium via the Hawkesworth Bridge passing in front of the San Ignacio-Santa Elena Police Station and heading down to the Welcome Center to get to the sporting facility.

At the Norman Broaster Stadium where Rodriguez had allegedly been stabbed by the caretaker the evening before, the participants in the vigil were shown where the incident occurred near the entrance. They then headed to the center of the pitch where they laid down their candles forming the word ‘CHRIS’ and remembering the youth who aspired to play in the Belize Premier League.

Chris Rodriguez had played for Santa Elena United and World FC. Many of his teammates and friends attended the vigil on Wednesday.

The evening before 18-year-old Rodriguez had visited the Norman Broaster to train along with his 17-year-old cousin Keon Rodriguez.

According to reports given to the police, Rodriguez and the caretaker reportedly had an altercation after the caretaker told the two Rodriguez, they had to leave the stadium because they hadn’t paid the fee to use the facility as mandated by the Cayo Sports Council.

The Cayo Sports Council, which is part of the National Sports Council, like all the regional sport councils, charges a fee for the use of the facilities for upkeep and maintenance. The charges have outraged many Belizeans who have taken to social media to criticize the authorities.

San Ignacio police reported that they received a call just after 6:00 pm and when they arrived at the Norman Broaster Stadium, they found Rodriguez “on the ground, lying on his back, suffering from stab wounds to the right side of his neck, one to the left side of the armpit area, and one to left rib cage, bleeding from his neck area profusely.”

Rodriguez was taken to the San Ignacio Community Hospital and later to the Western Regional Hospital where he passed away early Wednesday morning while receiving treatment for his injuries.

The caretaker was detained and was also taken to the San Ignacio Community Hospital for medical attention for a ‘burst’ lip.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.

© 2022, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.