Photo: Andre Vernon, deceased

by Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 13, 2023

Andre Vernon, 21, also known as “Ozzy,” a security guard of Fabers Road Extension in Belize City, on Monday became the first murder victim for the city in the month of February, which occurred on Monday, February 13, on Madam Liz Avenue in the Fabers Road area.

Initial police investigation indicates that Vernon and his girlfriend arrived at their home at around 2:08 a.m. when a gold Mazda Tribute passed them and made the turn at the end of the street and then returned, and that is when an individual exited the vehicle and fired a barrage of bullets in Vernon’s direction.

After completing the lethal assignment, the vehicle fled the scene with Vernon’s body motionless as he succumbed at the scene.

The lifeless body of Vernon was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival at around 4:00 a.m.

During Monday’s police media briefing, Communications Director for the Belize Police Department, ASP Fitzroy Yearwood debunked previous reports made on social media which suggested that Vernon and his assailant were at an establishment where a misunderstanding developed and he followed Vernon home to execute him.

“That would be speculation on my part. I am just relying on what was sent to me in the official report, and sometime today we are going to put out a flier for the assistance of the public for us to detain this person,” he said.

ASP Yearwood noted that Vernon is known to authorities due to his occupation, and his death is not gang related as the trigger man was a friend of his.

He also appealed for the assailant to turn himself over to the authorities as he has already been identified by several persons.