Police Officer Survives Shooting, Suspect Killed in Return Fire

A Police officer, Lionel Urbina, was targeted last night in a shooting, but in a twist of fate, the shooter was killed.  Just after eleven o’clock last night, Urbina was at his home in the Santa Cruz Area, Santa Elena Town, Cayo District when a gunman came and began firing shots at the cop’s house.  The cop returned fire and fatally injured 26-year-old, Darnell Arnold.  Love News spoke with ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer in command of the Eastern Division on the preliminary findings. 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “The complainant reported that he was at home along with his family members when he heard several gunshots fired towards his house.  He opened his window to check what was happening at which point he saw a male person firing shots towards his house. He then pulled out a firearm and fired a single shot at the person who was firing at his house causing the fatal injuries to the person. We are conducting a thorough investigation into this matter. At the conclusion of the investigation this file will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for directives. It is one shooting,  shots were being fired at this house that is when the person fired the shot at the person. We are conducting an attorney investigation at this time. We are still gathering the details but that is the information we have.”

Reporter: Are any of these people known to police? 
ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “Yes, the deceased is known to police. He’s from Hattieville. We do not know at this time. We are following several leads and we will have more information as it becomes available.”

Viewers may recall Officer Urbina as he made the news last month in the incident where Kevin DePaz was killed in Caye Caulker Village, Belize District.  Urbina was reportedly one of two officers who intervened in a stabbing incident on the island.  Love News understands that Urbina is currently on interdiction.  We further understand that both firearms used in last night’s shooting were unlicensed.  As for Arnold, we were reliably informed that he is an associate of the George Street area and was residing in Hattieville, Belize District.  The current speculation is that the Caye Caulker incident and last night’s attack may be connected.  Our newsroom will keep following this story.