Construction Worker Charged in Independence Village Shooting

Police have formally charged a 21-year-old construction worker in connection with the deadly multiple shooting that rocked Independence Village at the end of last year.  Authorities say that Santos Absolom Chirinos, a Belizean construction worker of Bella Vista Village, was charged yesterday for the crimes of murder and escape from lawful custody in relation to the incident.  We join ASP Stacy Smith who updated the media on the findings and what led to the arrest of Chirinos.

Stacy Smith, Superintendent of Police: “Police have formally arrested and charged 21 year old Santos Abselon Cherinos, a Belizean construction worker of Bella Vista Village for the crime of murder. Cherinos was additionally charged for the offense of escape from lawful custody. Though Cherinos turned himself in to police initially given that  a wanter person poster was out for him, though Mr.Cherinos in the company of his attorney had turned himself in to police after being informed that he was under arrest for offense of murder Mr.Cherinos shoved his attorney out of the way and bolted from the Independence Police Station. This information was immediately communicated. Mr.Cherinos was pursued. An area was cordoned off and after a search Mr.Cherinos was located on the veranda of an unoccupied property. Additional charges are expected to be levied against Cherinos in relation to the other persons that were injured in the December 31 incident. As it relates to the motive I will just say at this point is that the incidents that have been happening in the Bella Vista area suggest to have been fueled by the sale of drugs. I must say that video footage proved particularly useful in giving good guidance to police officers in  the execution of their operation however the department was also able to gather material evidence of value to the prosecution of this matter.”

Chirinos is expected to be arraigned in court shortly.