Shane Vernon, 28, of Iguana Street, Belize City, is fighting for his life at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was shot four times in the back at about 8:30 tonight on Iguana Street in front of the gate of his home.

Vernon was standing in front of the gate, holding his baby, when a gunman approached from the direction of Seagull Street and shot him multiple times in his back. Vernon collapsed, and the shooter, according to witnesses, ran back up into Seagull Street and then got into a car that sped away.

Police officers who were in the area responded quickly and took Vernon to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The latest reports reaching Amandala tonight are that Vernon was taken into the operating theater to undergo surgery.

The mother of Vernon’s baby said that she was in the house when Vernon came and asked to hold the baby.

Shortly after, she heard gunshots. She quickly ran out to see what was happening, because she was concerned for her baby, and saw Vernon on the ground, and he asked her to help him.

The family is now bracing themselves and praying for his recovery.

No one has been detained, and the motive of the attack is yet unknown.