Belize Coast Guard Officer Lionel Logan Killed in Shooting

Sunday proved fatal for Petty Officer Lionel Logan, a thirty-five-year-old member of the Belize Coast Guard from Libertad Village. He was returning from a football game when gunmen opened fire on the vehicle carrying him and four others. His commander remembers him as helpful and hardworking. For his family, his death has left a void. Reporter Zayna Augustine has the story.

Zayna Augustine, Love News: A trip to a football game ended in gunfire on the Philip Goldson Highway near Carolina Village on Sunday evening. Petty officer Lionel Logan was traveling in a black Chevrolet Equinox with 35-year-old construction worker Julian Dyer, Dyer’s common-law wife and their nine-year-old daughter. According to police, a black van pulled alongside them and men inside opened fire. Logan suffered several gunshot wounds. He was taken to the Northern Regional Hospital and later transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he died. Dyer was wounded in his arm and abdomen while his daughter suffered from a cut from shattered glass. ASP Stacy Smith outlined what investigators have learned so far.

ASP Stacy Smith, Belize Police Department: “Police are investigating a shooting incident which resulted in the death of 35-year-old Lionel Logan and the injury of 28-year-old Julian Dyer, both of Corozal District. The investigation commenced at around 6:45pm on Sunday, 18 October, 2026, when police were advised of a shooting incident in Carolina Village, Corozal District. What the investigation has so far disclosed is that both Logan and Dyer were traveling on board an SUV after leaving a football game and they were happened upon by several male persons who drove up alongside them on board a van and fired into that vehicle resulting in the injury of these persons. Mr Logan eventually succumbed to the injuries that he sustained earlier today whilst Mr.Deyer  is listed in a stable condition. No motive has been established so far, however, I will say that these persons are persons that are known to the police.”

Zayna Augustine, Love News: But beyond the investigation, Logan’s death has left his family grieving and searching for answers. His brother is now speaking about what he knows about their circumstances surrounding the killing and the man Lionel was to those closes to him. 

Brother: “Nice, friendly, cool, didn’t give any kind of trouble. He did his job at Coast Guard and came back. That man was a family man you know ? He’s so kind that sometimes he lends people his vehicle and they might mistake his vehicle for something else. Probably mistaken identity or probably hanging with the wrong crowd. I just really want to know how did this to my brother. The man was just a loving and kind father and he was my favorite brother. One of the best to all his family and coworkers woking at the Coast Guard. The man served his country, the man died as a hero.”

Zayna Augustine, Love News: For the Belize Close Guard Logan’s death means the loss of a sailor who served for approximately 13 years. Commandant Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis remembers him as a dependable member of the organization who was willing to work and help others. Soberanis also addressed the report of early shooting ant the Coast Guard’s efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding Logan’s death. 

Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis, Belize Coast Guard: “Throughout that time he was a dedicated sailor, committed to his duties, committed to his task and was a key figure when it came to the maintenance of our facilities, both offshore and at our Headquarters and he was also one of our sailors that did repairs on our vessels. All that fiberglass work and all the technical work that is required for the upkeep and maintenance of our vessels within the organization. We’ve reached out to the family during this time of bereavement. We know it’s a difficult time for a family when they are experiencing the loss of a loved one. And so we ensure that we provide that support to them to let them know that they’re not alone throughout this difficult time. So we have received reports that he was targeted before. I know that he was spoken to by his command as it relates to what we believe what were the reasons he believed to be the reasons for being targeted. At this time, we are waiting the results of the investigation as our members work closely with the members of the police department.”

Zayna Augustine, Love News: Officers recovered spent shell casing from the shooting scene. The Equinox was found abandoned in the San Antonio Village area with apparent bullet holes and shattered windows. Police are working to identify the gunmen, establish a motive and determine whether the earlier reported target is connected to Sunday’s shooting. No arrests have been reported.