INDEPENDENCE, Stann Creek District, Tues. Mar. 22, 2016–A minor, 16, died after he was attacked and stabbed in the chest by a young man who became angry because a horse was not lent to him by the boy’s brother, 18. The minor was rushed to the Independence Village Polyclinic, but he was declared dead on arrival.

Cheston Arzu, 18, of Independence, was arrested and charged with murder, and taken to the Dangriga Magistrate’s Court today, where he was arraigned and remanded to the Belize Central Prison until May 16.

The incident occurred at about 8:00 last night, in Independence. Police reported that the boy, his brother and a friend were in their yard when Cheston Arzu, who is known to them, approached them and requested to borrow their horse. The minor’s brother refused to lend him the horse, however.

Arzu became angry, according to police, and suddenly grabbed the boy in a chokehold from behind, and he quickly took out his knife and stabbed the boy in the left side of the chest, and then ran away.

The boy was rushed to the clinic in a pickup, but was declared dead on arrival. According to police, the minor’s brother refused to lend Arzu the horse because it was already late – 8 o’clock.

Police arrested Arzu shortly after in the village and charged him with murder.