One year ago, Private Jessie Escobar’s life was taken by fellow soldier after Santa Familia confrontation

Published by BBNTEAM at September 5, 2022

Tags

Posted: Monday, September 5, 2022. 10:16 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: It has been one year since a tumultuous week for the security forces that began on September 5, 2021, in Santa Familia village, Cayo District.

Private Jesse Escobar of the Belize Defence Force, 29, was with his common-law wife and daughter aged four at the Branch Mouth Stop and Shop when a joint Police and Belize Defence Force patrol attempted to detain a group of men for not wearing their masks properly and public drinking. An argument ensued, and a warning shot was fired. As the exchange of words continued, Escobar, captured in a surveillance video took one step toward Private Raheem Valencio, who reacted by shooting Escobar in the chest at close range.

That act resulted in Private Valencio being charged with murder. Private Ramon Alcoser and Constable Juan Carlos Morales were jointly charged along with Valencio for perverting the course of justice after Morales allegedly falsely told police officers that the group they were trying to detain had aggressed them first and thrown pint bottles at them.

It sent shockwaves across the Cayo District and into the halls of power, with swift justice demanded. Residents of Santa Familia engaged in civil disobedience, including burning down Constable Morales’ house in the village. Within 72 hours, all three would be brought to court and remanded.

Escobar’s family lodged a letter from Senior Counsel Dean Barrow demanding a quarter million dollars in compensation; there has been no indication of any settlement. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was forced to quell tensions himself with a visit to the village, combined with the removal of the patrol.

But questions still hang, including what could have led Valencio to turn on his fellow soldier, and why try to cover up what happened. A forthcoming preliminary inquiry and trial will hopefully provide the answers.

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.