Police Officer Shot, BDF Soldier Chopped in Lemonal Village Dispute

What exactly happened in Lemonal Village shortly after midnight last night remains the key question investigators are now trying to answer. A police officer was shot twice, a Belize Defence Force soldier was chopped to the head, and tonight both men remain at the center of an investigation that has yet to result in any criminal charges.  The incident occurred during a repass being held at the home of a Lemonal resident when an argument reportedly broke out between 38-year-old Police Constable Pharon Muslar and BDF soldier Alexander Reynolds.  According to information obtained by police, the confrontation escalated rapidly. Investigators believe Muslar allegedly used a machete or sharp object to chop Reynolds to the head during the dispute. Reynolds then reportedly pulled out a firearm and opened fire, striking the police officer twice.  Muslar sustained gunshot injuries to the left side of his chest and left shoulder and was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. He remains hospitalized but is reported to be in stable condition.  Reynolds, who suffered a chop wound to the head, was also treated for his injuries. Sources tell Love News that he was released from the hospital earlier today and was immediately taken into police custody at the Ladyville Police Station, where he remains pending the outcome of the investigation.  Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero confirmed earlier today that police are investigating a violent altercation involving a police officer and a BDF soldier.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “Last night around 12:30 AM police responded to a shooting incident in the Lemonal Village. Upon arrival they learned that a male person had been shot he was identified as Faron Mushlar, a police officer. He received several gunshot injuries, He was taken for treatment at the KHMH. Information is that Mushlarl was at the repass along with another male person, Alexander Reynolds, a BDF soldier, when they got into an argument. The information is that Mushlar chopped Reynolds to the head and then Reynolds pulled out his firearm and shot him. The information is they were drinking at the time. We are not sure if they had a dispute prior but they began to argue at the location at the time of the incident. It is a license for Reynolds. They are both at the KHMH receiving treatment. They are both in stable condition. A thorough investigation will be carried out and to determine charges.”

Another aspect of the investigation centers on the firearm used in the shooting. Information gathered by police suggests that the weapon is licensed to a woman identified as Julia Anthony, who was reportedly not at the repast.  Tonight, investigators are attempting to piece together the sequence of events that transformed what should have been a gathering of mourning into a scene of violence.  Police investigators visited the scene shortly after receiving reports of the shooting.