A physical altercation in Santa Elena turned into a shooting hours after Independence Day and Carnival celebrations wrapped up Monday night. The shooting incident left 27-year-old Marco Vasquez in critical condition.
Police say a licensed firearm holder stepped in to break up a fight involving Vasquez and others. Vasquez was allegedly armed with a machete, according to ASP Stacy Smith.
Smith added that the firearm holder reported that he “was aggressed by Mr. Vasquez… The licensed firearm holder produced the firearm and fired two shots, one of which struck Mr. Vasquez.”
Vasquez was rushed to Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan, where he remains in stable but critical condition.
Police recovered both weapons from the scene, the firearm and the machete. The firearm holder is now in police custody.
Smith confirmed that investigators have compiled a case file and are now awaiting directives from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on how to proceed.
