Dan Lopez Charged With Attempted Murder in Maya Ranch Shooting

Police have charged Dan Lopez in connection with last Wednesday’s shooting of Alfred Mahler in the Maya Ranch area of the Cayo District. Lopez faces charges of attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. He was arraigned this morning in the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court and remanded to the Belize Central Prison.  Mahler was shot on September 23 while inspecting properties in the area. Police say they recovered Lopez’s licensed .223 rifle, which is being treated as evidence. Maya Ranch has been the subject of a land dispute since earlier this year, with farmers being removed from private property they had occupied. Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero gave this update on the investigation.