Sadie Vernon Student Killed in Belize City Shooting, Community Mourns Teen’s Death

A 17-year-old student of Sadie Vernon Technical High School has become the latest victim of gun violence in Belize City. Shortly after 11:00 last night, police responded to reports of gunshots on Crown Lane in the Saint Martin de Porres area. Police say he sustained fatal injuries during the attack and was pronounced dead at the scene. The tragic loss has left family members, friends, classmates, and teachers in shock. Love News spoke with one of Morris’s teachers, Kenroy Young, who reflected on the young man’s life and described the news of his death as difficult to accept. According to Young, Derrick was a respectful and unproblematic student who showed promise and stayed out of trouble.

Kenroy Young, Teacher: “I learned it to be Derek Morris, one of the students that I teach at Sadie Vernon Technical High School in one of his extra-curricular activity programs, the Journey to Freedom Program. I can categorically refute what is being circulated or displayed in the media about some kind of gang affiliation or criminal street elements character. That’s not that young man. That young man is always a smiling young man on school campus and off the school campus I meet him so many times and around the city as I traverse around the city. He’s a very respectful and mannerly young man.”

Investigators have since identified a suspect in connection with the murder and continue to pursue leads as the case progresses.  During today’s police press briefing, Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith shared what investigators have uncovered so far regarding the murder.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “Following the review of video footage at the Crime Fusion Center, police have detained one male person in connection with the shooting incident that resulted in the murder of 17-year-old Dennis Morris of Belize City which occurred on Sunday, 14 June, 2026, at around 10:35 p.m. What we have learned so far is that Morris was at his residence on Crown Street when two persons went to that residence and one of them called out for an occupant of the house and when the young Mr. Morris opened the door he was met with gunfire. As it relates to motives so far the indication is that this is a consequence of a dispute over a bicycle involving the minor and the the detained suspect who is also a minor well somebody that is 18 years old.” 

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact the Belize Police Department.