Teen Killed in Park Street Shooting

After nearly three years without gun violence in the Park Street area of southside Belize City, the calm was shattered last night when 15-year-old Eric David Reyes was shot and killed just outside his home.  Neighbors reported hearing as many as eight gunshots, followed moments later by the discovery of the teenager lying motionless on the ground in front of his gate. One resident said that shortly after 10:00 p.m., he initially thought the loud blasts were from fireworks or dynamite but became alarmed when he observed several people rushing toward the scene. Upon reaching the area, they found Reyes in a pool of blood.  Today, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith provided an update on the investigation, confirming that police are actively following leads in the case.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “Belize Police Department is investigating the death of 15 year old Eric David Reyes, who tragically lost his life to gun violence on Park Street in Belize City.  The ongoing investigation commenced on Monday, December 1st, 2025 at approximately 10:10 p.m. when officers who were on patrol in the St. Martin’s area were alerted to the sounds of shots being fired. These officers proceeded to the direction where they heard the shots being fired and they were further advised by personnel of the police control room of the exact scene of the shooting incident. Upon the arrival of the responding officers, they observed the motionless body of the young Mr. Reyes, which exhibited apparent gunshot wounds. The scene was processed and he was later transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. What the ongoing investigation has disclosed so far is that Reyes was riding his bicycle on Park Street when he was accosted by an unknown individual who fired the shots that fatally wounded him. The motive for this murder is still under investigation. However, there is no information at this time to suggest that Reyes was involved in any gang activity nor that this incident was as a consequence of gang rivalry.” 

Residents described the teenage victim, who lived with his paraplegic mother, as a quiet and well-mannered youth, with no known involvement in trouble or criminal activity.

Neighbor of Deceased Teen: “Well you know he was a common young man that got caught up in violence and you know the regular Belize routine. So man up to now like I told you earlier that you still can’t process the whole thing as yet but you just gotta accept the Belize we’re living in nowadays. Nobody is perfect but he was a young man who stuck to himself, he hails his neighbor, everyone around here knows him so he hails everybody and well everybody remembers him as that little young boy we all watched grow up you know ?”

In an official statement, police condemned what they termed a “senseless” act of violence and reiterated their commitment to protecting Belize’s communities. According to ASP Smith, the Belize Police Department has intensified anti-crime operations citywide and is appealing to members of the public to cooperate with authorities by sharing any information that may assist in bringing those responsible to justice.