5 days ago
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Police in Punta Gorda are investigating a deadly shooting that claimed the lives of two men on Saturday night. Shortly after eight o’clock, officers responded to reports of gunfire on Queen Street. When police arrived at a residence on Queen Street, they found 24-year-old Luis Barillas lying face down in a yard in a pool of blood. At the same time, another victim had already been rushed to the Punta Gorda Hospital. Doctors attempted lifesaving treatment but the man, later identified as Derick Arnold, was pronounced dead shortly after police arrived. He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, thigh and back. Barillas was also transported to the hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead. He had sustained gunshot injuries to the face and head. ASP Stacy Smith gave preliminary information on the investigations.
Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “The investigation commenced on Saturday, 7 February, 2026 at approximately 8:10 p.m. when police were alerted to a shooting incident at the corner of Jose Maria Nuñes Street and Queen Street in Punta Gorda Town. Upon arrival, the officers observed an injured male person later identified as forty three year old Derek Arnold who was suffering from apparent gunshot wounds to the body also at the scene was the unresponsive body of Luis Barrias, which likewise exhibited apparent gunshot wounds. Both men were transported to the hospital where Arnold later succumbed to the injuries he sustained. Preliminary investigations indicate that Arnold and Barrias and other individuals were at the rear of Barrias’s residence when a male person is reported to have went to that location and called out for Barrias. Barrias and Arnold proceeded to the front of the residence and that is when they were met with gunfire. Police have since detained three persons in connection with this investigation and we are of the view based on the investigative leads thus far that charges will be forthcoming in due course.”
Senior correspondent Paul Mahung spoke with Arnold’s sister, Roseta, who said she is clueless as to the motive for the shooting.
Roseta, Sister of the Deceased: “I don’t know why he got shot and you know we would just want justice you know ? And I know sometimes he could be a handful but he was still a good person.”
Reporter: Where was he born ?
Roseta, Sister of the Deceased: “He was born way in Corozal.”
Reporter: How long has he been here in PG ?
Roseta, Sister of the Deceased: “He’s been here for some years. Actually like five or six years.”
Reporter: As a family member tell us what you know about Derek.
Roseta, Sister of the Deceased: “Derek, could be sweet and he could be miserable when he’s ready. I will always remember when he just walked into the market he could be commanding and he would walk into the market and say “Aha, buy me a tamales. I want two dollars right now.” He doesn’t say please you know ? He doesn’t say please at all but I know I will just leave everything to God and I just want us to lay him to rest and carry on with our lives.”
Reporter: So he had been living here in PG by himself ? Or with the family ?
Roseta, Sister of the Deceased: “He has his girlfriend and a handsome little son. You know one thing he loved his little son, that I could say.”
Scene of Crime personnel processed the area and recovered nine expended shells both at the entrance and inside the yard.
English (US) ·