SAN PEDRO, Ambergris Caye, Thurs. Aug. 10, 2017–Galen University student Kevin Brown is at home in Camalote recovering after he was almost beaten to death in San Pedro, Belize District, by a gang of about twenty men.
Information to Amandala is that Brown, 22, and three friends had gone to San Pedro to take part in the Costa Maya celebrations on Saturday night.
While near the Banana Beach Resort, an argument erupted between the group Brown was with, and the gang of men over a bracelet. The gang attacked Brown, kicking him in the body and beating him in the head with a vase until he was unconscious.
Reports are that two of Brown’s female companions who tried to shield him from the assault were nevertheless also assaulted by the gang.
Brown was transported to the San Pedro Polyclinic after the incident. Reports are that his rescuers had to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) to him twice while transporting him to the clinic.
While at the clinic, Brown went in and out of consciousness until he was airlifted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).
Brown has since been released from the hospital and is convalescing at home. Sources close to his family say he has difficulty remembering what happened that night on San Pedro.
Police Press Officer Fitzroy Yearwood, on Wednesday, told the media that Jafari and Wasani Castro, sons of Transport and NEMO Minister Edmond Castro, are being sought by police in relation to the vicious physical attack. He had indicated that they had been sought since Sunday.
Today, however, Police Press Officer Rafael Martinez indicated that the Castro brothers were not being sought, and that no report had been made against them, or against anyone, so no one is being charged as yet in connection with the beating. In fact, it is not yet clear if the police have begun to even investigate the incident.
“Somebody has to witness the incident, then make a report before action is taken,” Martinez said.
Amandala notes, however, that in cases where victims have lost their lives and as a result have been unable to make reports, police have still carried out investigations, and so our newspaper finds Martinez’ response to be inadequate.
Martinez went on to announce that coincidentally, Yearwood was no longer working with the Police Press Office because he had been transferred.
“Police officers are transferrable,” he said.
With speculation high as to the real reasons for Yearwood’s sudden transfer to a yet unknown post, he took to social media to insist that it was his own decision.
“I have been echoing my need for a transfer from the Public Relations Team for some months now. I don’t know where the rumors started, but rest assured that I am on some much-needed leave,” he said.
He added, “Thank you for trusting me enough to invite me into your living rooms night after night, but it’s time for me to move on. I still continue to serve you in the capacity of Inspector of Police.”
On Friday, Yearwood celebrates 21 years with the Police Department.
When Amandala spoke to a source close to the family of Kevin Brown, they told our newspaper that on Wednesday, Roaring Creek police visited their home to collect a statement, but indicated that they would return today, Thursday. However, they have not yet returned.
Sources close to Brown also indicated that he does not remember anything about the beat-down but has completed a medical form documenting his injuries.
According to the source, the family is considering making a police report, but they are proceeding at a slow pace because they understand that one of the attackers has left the country.