Mid-morning shooting leaves two men dead and one woman injured

A brazen mid-morning shooting along East Collet Canal in Belize City has left two men dead and a young woman injured after gunfire erupted in a busy area near the Vernon Street Fish Market Bridge shortly before eleven o’clock today.  Initial reports indicate that more than two dozen shots rang out when a gunman targeted Clinton Pou and his sister as they were setting up to assist their mother in selling food along the canal side, an activity the family reportedly carries out almost daily at the location just before the approach to the fish market bridge.

One man who was in the area told the media that the sudden burst of gunfire sent residents and vendors scrambling for safety as bullets flew through the area.

Bystander: “So we were stoning up there, we saw only Frederick Sutherland running and then we knew shots were being fired. So then me and my friend I ran into a yard , they ran into a boat into the stern. But that is all that happened. Well it was so confusing and the police was shooting and the civilian was shooting at the same time it was like a shootout because it was at least like twenty shots fired. Certain people say it’s thirty but I would say it’s like twenty something but it’s a lot of shooting you know ? All I did was run into a yard because I saw my friend running and I knew I wasn’t a part of it you know ? In this life right now it’s Lent the devil is busy. So all I did, I ran into a yard the officers looked at me and said “You are part of it.” I said no how am I a part of it ? I’m a fisherman. I told him that. And so he told me to stay right there and we will process. I ran from the boat, I was just at the boat but don’t you see the guys are coming from under the stern of the boat ? You know because it’s more than one shot. You heard about three different guns being fired. So all I did was I gave them the pass through because when shots are being fired anybody could get shot, it could be a child, it could be a child, but you know ? So that is all I did, I ran and I fell and I all I could say is that it was very dangerous this morning. I wouldn’t expect that just walking out there to buy something to eat you’d have to run for your life but right no in society the little youths are not thinking they’re just doing things.”

Authorities say the attack quickly escalated when police officers in the area responded and pursued the suspected gunman. During the pursuit, police opened fire and managed to shoot the suspect.  The alleged shooter has since been identified as 40-year-old Ryan Barnett, who was injured during the police response and later succumbed to those injuries.  Meanwhile, Clinton Pou, who investigators say was the intended target of the attack, also died as a result of the shooting. Pou’s sister sustained injuries during the incident and was transported for medical treatment.  Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith of the Police Public Relations Office confirmed that police responded to the shooting and that one of the suspects was fatally wounded during the confrontation with officers.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “Police are investigating an incident which resulted in the death of two persons and the injury of another. Initial investigation suggest that siblings Keandra Pou, 27 years of age, and Clinton Pou, 29 years of age, were at a stall on East Collet Canal at approximately 11:15am when they were fired upon. Officers on patrol in the area responded to this incident and they indication is that a third person namely 40 year old Ryan Barnett, who the indication is that he’s the suspect in that shooting incident may have been shot in the course of police’s response. Both Clinton Pou and Ryan Barnett have since succumbed to the gunshot injuries that they sustained and Keandra Pou is reported to be in a stable condition. Police investigation continues. The suggestion that it may be connected to the incident involving Mr. Saldano is an angle that is being pursued given the parties that are in this incident and that is the extent to which I will comment in that regard. As stated a more comprehensive report will be provided. It is an ongoing investigation. It’s a very early investigation. I certainly do commit to providing a more comprehensive report as to what exactly transpired. We know that the number of cameras in the area and those will be viewed and as the information is learned that will be shared with the media.” 

Love News understands that the surveillance cameras in the area are currently being reviewed by the authorities