Shootout at Pueblo Nuevo Ferry leaves three injured, one drowned, one critical

Published by BBNTEAM at May 5, 2023

Tags

Posted: Friday, May 5, 2023. 2:47 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: After a wild few minutes on Thursday afternoon in the Corozal District, a total of four persons are hospitalized and a fifth is missing and presumed drowned in the New River.

According to the first police officer on the scene, he was heading to his home base of Progresso village and while crossing on the ferry heard gun shots from the Progresso-facing side and saw two vehicles leaving the area and heading in that direction. Subsequently he was informed by witnesses that passengers from a white GMC Terrain SUV and a light green Ford Escape SUV had exchanged gunfire after coming from Progresso, then turned back whence they came.

During the shootout, one man identified as Randolph Crawford, jumped into the New River trying to swim but went under and failed to resurface.

Subsequently, police found the Ford Escape overturned on the Progresso Road with its two occupants injured. They were identified as Stanislaus O’Neal of Belize City and a man known only as “Bam,” who were transported to Corozal Community Hospital. Police recovered more than 50 expended shells of nine-millimeter and .223 variety, and from the vehicle an M4 carbine, nine-millimeter pistol, ammunition and other items.

Two more persons involved were located at Northern Medical Plaza in Orange Walk Town, identified as Benigno Loria and Sergio Hall, both shot. Loria said they were attacked along with Crawford by persons in a green Mazda Tribute, and that Crawford had tried to escape by jumping in the river. Both Loria and Hall are listed in stable condition.

O’Neil is stable at the Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk Town while “Bam” is in critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. Coast Guard personnel continue to search for the body of Crawford as he is presumed drowned.

Police investigations continue.

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.