Police have arrested and charged Dan Lopez in connection with the shooting of land manager Alfred Mahler, who remains hospitalized in stable condition after being injured while reportedly checking on property under his care last week. The arrest places Lopez back in the spotlight after a series of confrontations tied to the longstanding Maya Ranch land dispute in western Belize. Earlier this year, he was charged with the attempted murder of Police Sergeant Dalon Kelly following a confrontation on disputed property. At the time, police alleged Lopez shot the officer during an attempted arrest, while his attorney maintained that the injury was caused when police were trying to seize Lopez’s licensed firearm. Lopez had also been at the center of earlier tensions involving Maya Ranch lands, where he was accused of confronting land managers and forestry officials amid disputes over ownership and occupation of the property, a dispute that has repeatedly required police intervention and resulted in court proceedings. While Mahler remains in the hospital, Lopez once again finds himself facing serious criminal charges linked to the land dispute.
Hilberto Romero
ACP Hilberto Romero, Head, National Crime Investigation Unit
“And reference the shooting of Alfred Mahler, we have since arrested and charged Dan Lopez for the crimes of attempt murder, danger of harm, and use of deadly means of harm. A point 223 rifle was recovered, which was the weapon used.”
Britney Gordon
“So he is detained by police currently?”
ACP Hilberto Romero
“Yeah, he was taken to court this morning.”
Mahler’s family maintains that he has no involvement in a land dispute and was simply hired to manage the property.
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