Police Probe Fatal Early-Morning Shooting in Lords Bank Village

Police are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in the early hours of Sunday at a residence in Lords Bank Village, Ladyville, Belize District.  According to police, around 1:41 a.m., officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) responded to reports of gunshots at a home located at the BDF housing site in Lords Bank. Upon arrival, police observed the motionless body of an adult male lying face up on a sponge directly in front of the side door of the house, with an apparent gunshot wound.  The deceased was later identified as 57-year-old Phillip Nicholas, a handyman of Lords Bank Village.  Briefing the media on the incident, Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police, outlined the preliminary findings and what officers encountered at the scene.

Stacy Smith, Superintendent of Police: “Two persons have been detained for questioning as the investigators seek to uncover the motive and to apprehend the culprit in this incident. The information that has been disclosed is the extent to which the department wishes to disclose. No suspect at the moment, however, two persons have been detained who police believe useful information can be obtained in relation to this investigation.” 

Police said they spoke with the victim’s wife, Zelma Nicholas, who reported that shortly after 1:20 a.m., she, her husband, and their four-year-old grandson were asleep on a sponge on the floor inside their two-bedroom zinc, Mennonite-style home. She told police that the side door was open when two masked men walked up the wooden steps and fired several shots inside the house. One of the bullets reportedly struck Phillip Nicholas in the head, causing fatal injuries. The attackers then fled the area.  Love News also spoke with a nearby resident who said they heard the gunshots and expressed sorrow over the loss within the close-knit community.

Resident: “But everyone was asleep and when all of a sudden I heard like three shots but I thought those shots were like regular those pop shots or those fireworks but when I first heard the three and then afterwards the last three it was like six shots so it was like a gunshot actually I kind of woke up my bed and I heard someone run, like they ran on the street from there to the other side but I couldn’t see actually what happened. So afterwards like five minutes after I heard some trucks next door but apparently the police trucks came. Well that’s all I can give for what occurred, what we heard. Yes we know him personally. Well he’s a well known man in this neighborhood, well known friend with my dad, they grew up together since they were kids and well after when my dad realized about then news that he got shot then he was in shock. He felt very sad about what happened but he just couldn’t believe it. My mom as well she also feels like she couldn’t believe it, like she couldn’t believe that Mr.Phillip is gone, like she can’t believe it, neither do I. I feel shocked as well.” 

The body of Phillip Nicholas was transported to the morgue at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.  Police say there are currently no known witnesses, no suspects have been detained, and the motive for the attack remains unclear.