A targeted, early morning attack has left two special constables dead in San Ignacio, and a community searching for answers. Police say a man and a woman were hunted down and executed just after sunrise in what appears to be a cold, calculated killing. Police are working to track down who carried out the attack, and why Manuel Smith and Fidencia Osgaya were targeted. Shane Williams was in the twin towns today as that investigation unfolds.
Shane Williams
Shane Williams, Reporting
Special Constables Manuel Smith and Fidencia Osgalla would sit right here in this corner of the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Market during their long twelve-hour shift. After fifteen-minute breaks they would get up and patrol this entire market, ensure everyone was safe and their property was intact. This morning they were relieved a few minutes early and decided to hurry home after a long night’s work.
Kenroy White is Smith and Osgalla’s supervisor. Fresh off vacation, he didn’t ease back in, he showed up ten minutes early, setting the tone he hoped his colleagues would follow.
Kenroy White
Kenroy White, Supervisor of Deceased
“I can’t believe that I went there, I saw it, and I came back to work. And then when I come back and watch this spot it still hurt me. I can’t eat. I can’t do any- anything and like that. But I just wish condolence to my fallen brother and my fallen sister and them, but not that way. I never expect they would go out and get dead by that whilst coming da work.”
White says they would normally hang around the market a while, joke around and check in with vendors, before heading home. But for some reason this morning there was little socialization, just a parting jab from a friend before rushing for a ride home.
Kenroy White
“The last thing she told me, ‘[expletive], see the key ya.” And first time we – every time we usually drink coffee here and then usually we – I don’t know why today but the town board was having a retreat today. That’s why I think they went early and when they was going to work cause they went close to town hall, that’s where right there they shot them.”
Just a few minutes later, White and others heard gunshots rang out from a few hundred yards away. Smith was driving up this hill near Faith Nazarene Primary School when a motorcycle pulled up beside them and opened fire. Smith and Osgaya were struck multiple times, his lifeless body surrendering control of the vehicle, leaving it to roll back down the hill, crashing into this entrance gate. Police are now trying to put together this puzzling case, the execution of two security officers.
Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“The video footage that we have retrieved so far suggests that they were tracked by two persons on board a motorcycle and upon reaching by Hospital Street that is when one of the persons produced a firearm and fired several shots which resulted in the demise of these two individuals.”
A black wreath adorns the doors of the San Ignacio-Santa Elena town hall building where this tragedy has hit workers extremely hard. Mayor Earl Trapp gave employees the day off. They had been looking forward to it for weeks, a long-planned council sports day. Their supervisor believes that’s why Smith and Osgaya hurried home after their shift. But today, grief is too heavy, and any plans for celebration have been put on hold.
Earl Trapp
Earl Trapp, Mayor, San Ignacio Santa Elena
“Because of their broken spirit in how they were feeling, and of course the losing or the loss of our hardworking and beloved employees, we just couldn’t stomach staying around and working so we decided to send them home. But definitely it has been a shock to our employees. It’s a shock to the community.”
Manuel Smith
Trapp says Smith has been a friend for more than two decades.
Earl Trapp
“Mr. Smith, I have known him for over, I would say thirty years, and more so through sports. He was a football enthusiast and a good player as well. And he was that leader that that always – the youths always looked up to. So he was more of a father figure and as well as a mentor to many youths.”
Fidencia Osgaya
Fidencia Osgaya had spent just over five years serving her community, and in 2016, she was recognized as Cayo’s Woman of the Year. Now, instead of welcoming her home after another long night on duty, her three children are left holding on to each other, trying to navigate an unimaginable loss.
On the phone: Beatrice Rowland, Daughter of Deceased
“I am a lost for words. My mom was a loving, hardworking, caring type of person. She was a friend to everybody and anybody.”
The town council is organizing a candlelight vigil for Smith and Osgaya on Thursday night near the Macal River and are working with police to get justice for the family and community. Shane Williams for News Five.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
Watch the full newscast here:
Post Views: 174
