Home Affairs Minister Says Progress Made in Mango Creek Murder Investigation

Minister of Home Affairs Oscar Mira says police are satisfied with the progress of the investigation into the New Year’s Eve shooting incident in Mango Creek, Stann Creek.  He added that the investigation into the murder of Mark Anthony Gabourel has seen significant progress.  Speaking to reporters, Minister Mira confirmed that a man has voluntarily surrendered to police after learning that authorities were seeking him in connection with the incident. The minister said investigators are confident in the direction of the case and described the investigation as satisfactory at this stage.

Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs: “And indeed, it is alarming that we started the new year with a murder. And we are looking at making sure that our different units of the police department are well equipped. They have been retasked. We are going to reorganize. We’re going to retask the special branch. We’re going to retask the CIB and all those units that do investigations. It is not an easy task. most of the time we can only see the statistics of what happened. Whatever the police department prevents in terms of their anti-crime prevention strategy and their patrols and those things are really, you can’t quantify what hasn’t happened. So the statistics is only about what happens, but we are making sure that we put everything into solving those murders. I think we have done very well in getting information, in getting arrests.”

As it relates to national security, Minister Mira says there is a refreshed strategy in place that would assist in curbing crime and increase prosecution.

Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs: “In the south, the shooting that happened in Mango Creek. We have had arrests and we are very comfortable with all the evidence that have been gathered. In Belmopan, we also have arrests and today one more person handed himself in along with his attorney, which we believe is going to greatly help in that investigation.’”

Reporter: In reference to the Mark Gabourel murder? – 

Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs:“Yes, in reference to his murder. So this morning, another person handed in himself, a person that we were looking for, person of interest which will very much help us in that investigation.”

Reporter: Regarding that murder after it was announced that I think Mr. Coye was arrested and charged, a lot of persons took to Facebook saying that it’s not him, the videos don’t look like him, the pictures don’t look like him. I think his family took to Facebook saying that police always go after him no matter what your reaction to that. 

Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs: “I don’t want to speculate on an ongoing investigation, but I think it is a trend. And while the community and our Belizean people like to go on Facebook and a lot of emotional comments, I think that the police department has a duty and the police department has an obligation to investigate. And we will not charge anybody without sufficient evidence. Those files go to the DPP and once there is sufficient evidence to make an arrest and to charge, it will be done so. I think the police at this point has enough evidence, has enough in their investigations to arrest and charge Mr. Coye, or leave it as that.”

The Belize Police Department is having its weekly press brief this afternoon where an update on investigations will be provided to the media.