Two Young Men Gunned Down Near Belmopan City Council Area

Police in Belmopan continue their investigation into Friday evening’s fatal shooting that left two young men dead near the City Council area.  According to police reports, shortly after 7:00 p.m. on February 13, officers responded to information of gunfire in the Unity Boulevard area. Upon arrival, they were directed to a sidewalk behind the Ministry of Foreign Affairs leading toward the Belmopan Police Station, where two male persons were found motionless with gunshot injuries.  The victims were identified as 21-year-old Zamar Alvarez of Blue Creek Street, Belmopan, and 20-year-old Calvert Webster of Mahogany Heights. Staff Officer, ASP Stacy Smith gave us more details, indicating that at least one of the boys was a person of interest in a robbery. 

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “When police in Belmopan were alerted to the sounds of gunshots being fired in the City Council area of Belmopan. Upon the arrival of the police officers in that location they were directed to a sidewalk in that area where they observed the unresponsive body of two male persons who were later identified to be 21 year old Zamar Alvarez, a Belizean unemployed of Belmopan City and 20 year old Calbert Webster, a Belizean unemployed of Mahogany Heights. What the investigation has disclosed so far is both Webster and Alvarez were in a group of four or so male persons when they were fired upon. What I can say is that one of the male persons, I believe Mr.Webster was in fact a person of interest in relation to a report that was made, a robbery report.”

Reporter: But do police do not believe that there is any connection ? 

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “As I stated it is an ongoing investigation. We are hopeful that the leads that we have gathered so far will bring clarity as to the motive in this incident.”

Families of the victims are now grappling with the loss. Alvarez’s mother, Alina Alvarez, was devastated when she received the news, explaining that she did not know her last conversation with her son would be their final one. 

Alina Alvarez, Mother of Deceased: “A family member called me and let me know. I didn’t want to believe but when I went out there and I saw my son on the ground I said it was true. I think a lot of people would have heard of my son because he’s an artist. He loved music. He’s a humble young man. He sees anybody he would say good morning, good evening, very respectful. He was my first born. He was my everything. I love my two other kids but he was my world. He’s always happy, always dancing, always singing, clowning, trying to do something. Whenever I come and I’m like in a mood he would come “Mommy mommy, you want me to dance for you ? Give my two dollars.” Then he would dance. But he’s a sweet little boy. Everybody loved him. The people who know my son they loved him and his name is Zama Alvarez but his stage name is Zambo. Friday I called him and I checked on him. I asked if he had already eaten and he said “Yes mommy, I will sing right now.” He said he loved me. I told him not to go anywhere that when I come home I will cook for him. He said “Yes mommy.” That was the last conversation I had with my son.”

Alvarez, who held a promising future and a strong love for music, was countlessly described as a humble and joyous person. But despite these qualities, circulating rumors have attempted to link both boys to recent robberies in the capital. Alvarez’s mother firmly addressed these allegations, saying that she had made sure to instill core values and strong principles in her family.  

Alina Alvarez, Mother of Deceased: “Let sleeping dogs lie. The child I raised wasn’t a thief so if that’s what they say if they have proof then so let it be but everybody that knows me and knows my children especially Zamar and Zamar comes from a humble family so everybody who knows my child knows that what they’re saying if that’s how they feel then I know my child was a very sweet young man. Stealing is not in my family, that’s not me, that’s not him. I will just let them know that they took away my joy. They took away my peace, my happiness, my best friend. They took away…they just took away my world. My son was my world. My son was my everything you know and to the killers I pray for you guys. I pray for your parents. God will give me justice. I put everything in the hands of God and I will continue to pray and pray for me to find peace in my heart to be able to get over this.”

Police have not yet disclosed a confirmed motive for the double homicide./