A man who was rejected by his common-law wife for a younger man fired several shotgun blasts in her bar, named La Serenita, in Camalote, and when police came, engaged them in a shootout three different times after shooting up the bar.
The culprit, however, was later arrested, taken to the Belmopan Police Station, and afterwards charged in court.
Roberto Castellanos, 56, of Camalote Village, was remanded to the Belize Central Prison today after he was taken to the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court on charges of attempted murder, discharging a firearm in public and use of a firearm under the influence of alcohol. He has been remanded until October 25, when he will be returned to court.
Castellanos went to the business place of his common-law wife, Veronica Sarcenio, 40, of Camalote, with whom he had been living for about 20 years, to reconcile with her, but he was rebuffed.
He then began firing his weapon in the bar.
According to a police report dated today, Monday, “On 17.08.13 at about 6:30 p.m., police officers responded to a shooting in Camalote Village. Initial investigation revealed that Roberto Castellanos had reportedly fired several shots at Serenita Bar owned by Veronica Sarcenio (Castellano’s ex-common-law wife).
“Upon police [’s] arrival, they saw Castellanos walking away from the establishment and tried to get his attention. However, he ignored the orders from the police, as he had what appeared to be a 16-gauge shotgun in his hand. He was then seen loading the weapon as he continued to walk away, and then [he] fired twice at the police, who then returned fire, but missed.
“Castellanos then escaped, but was caught later, arrested and escorted to the police station pending charges.”
Sarcenio’s account basically has corroborated the police version of the shooting. According to a report to us, Sarcenio managed to run out of her bar and went to the bus stop, where she saw a police woman attached to the Belmopan police.
The WPC reported that Sarcenio told her that her ex-common-law husband was firing shots in her bar, La Serenita. The officer reportedly went along with Sarcenio to the bar, and was joined by an off-duty policeman.
On arrival at the bar, they saw Castellanos, armed with a shotgun. They tried to convince him to surrender and go with them peacefully, but Castellanos walked out of the bar and headed towards a plantation.
Police said that while Castellanos was walking away, he loaded his gun and turned to face them, pointing the gun at them, causing them to take cover. Castellanos then began shooting at them, and they began firing back at him.
Castellanos then went into the plantation, and the off-duty policeman went after him and there was more shooting. After the officer withdrew, backup came from Belmopan, and there was again a shootout, but Castellanos escaped.
Police circled the area, and Castellanos was captured shortly after walking on the Valley of Peace Road with the shotgun slung over his shoulder. When Castellanos was searched, a number of shotgun cartridges were found in his possession.
A report to Amandala was that being spurned by his common-law wife, who dumped him for a younger man, had a devastating effect on Castellanos, and he would cry whenever he drank.