A deadly shooting in Belize City’s Kings Park area has left thirty-three-year-old Barry Johnson dead and Jahsun Tillett recovering in hospital. Police are now trying to piece together what happened in the moments before the gunfire, with sources indicating Johnson may have been followed to the area. News Five’s Shane Williams reports.
Shane Williams
Shane Williams, Reporting
“Police are investigating a terrifying shooting incident that took place last night in this quiet community in the Kings Park area. Barry Johnson was just visiting his relatives here at this apartment complex at the corner of F and 7th streets when a vehicle approached and unleashed a barrage of bullets. The vehicle then sped off into that area onto 6th street, making their escape, leaving Barry Johnson right in this area dead and another man injured. That individual was rushed to the Carl Houston Memorial Hospital where he is listed in a stable condition. When we arrived in this area, we noticed police combing the area, going house to house, looking for surveillance footage that might be able to help in their initial investigation because this area is a strong neighborhood watch community.”
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“ What has been established so far in the course of the ongoing investigation is that Mr. Johnston was talking to two persons who were seated inside a van which was parked on the street when two male persons approached and fired several shots, fatally wounding Johnson and injuring another person.”
For investigators, the challenge now is putting together a timeline, from Johnston’s arrival in the area, to the moments leading up to the shooting and the gunman’s escape through Sixth Street, leaving an entire community in shock. President of the Justice of the Peace Association Adrian “Danny” Madrid lives just two houses down from the shooting. He spoke to us about the horrifying experience.
Adrian “Danny” Madrid
Adrian “Danny” Madrid, Neighbour of Deceased
“My wife is a bit frightened. She said she heard it last night, and it sounded like machine gun, so we’re thinking that was it, and then on my footage I have some that I got, and I’ll be sharing it to, to assist now. But the camera didn’t get anything, but I think the other ones that they got did get something. But we are very concerned about our little neighborhood. We have our families here and we have children running on the streets, and we are worried about our children. So we are hoping that through the neighborhood watch we can talk about it and do something better and work along with the media and the police and I – but yes, we are concerned.
While police have not established a motive, Johnson was no stranger to encounters with the law.
His first known run-in with the law came in 2011, when Johnson was charged with the burglary of a warehouse at the corner of King Street and East Canal. About fourteen thousand dollars in clothing and electrical appliances were reportedly stolen, including some four hundred standing fans.
Four years later, in 2015, Johnson and two other men were charged with aggravated assault with a firearm following the shooting of Delbert Palacio. Palacio was injured by what was described as friendly fire, but the case was eventually thrown out after Palacio declined to proceed against the men. Despite these charges, he has only one conviction.
ASP Stacy Smith
“As it relates to Mr. Johnston, he is known to police, having been convicted in the past for drug trafficking.”
Jasmine Fortune
Then, in 2024, Johnson was questioned when his former girlfriend, Jasmine Fortune, was shot after returning home following a domestic dispute involving the couple. No charges were ever filed against Johnson in that matter.
Johnson had also previously been the target of violence. In 2013, he was shot in the knee while standing in front of the Port Loyola basketball court. And just this past March, armed intruders forced their way into his home on Beltex Crescent in Belama and assaulted two occupants inside. Johnson was not home at the time, but the assailants reportedly made off with almost sixteen thousand dollars in jewelry and nine hundred dollars cash. Two men were later charged in connection with that incident. Police have not confirmed a link to this murder.
ASP Stacy Smith
“No motive has been established so far in the course of this ongoing investigation. However, police have retrieved footage from the Crime Fusion Center, which is proving helpful to the ongoing investigation.”
As investigators canvass the area for witnesses and review available surveillance footage in which semi-automatic shots followed automatic gunfire, there is no question that Barry Johnson was marked for the death. The only question remains is who wanted Barry Johnson dead, and why? Shane Williams for News Five.
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