This afternoon at 3:30 at a press conference at the Racoon Street Police Station, officer commanding Eastern Division Headquarters, Aaron Guzman, along with Superintendent of Police, Chester Williams, informed the media that they had the man who murdered George “Junie Balls” McKenzie, 33, on Monday.
That man, Edward Lord, 20, turned himself in to police this morning at 9:45, along with his attorney, Ellis Arnold. Lord chose not to give a caution statement, said Guzman. They do not have any specific reason as to why Junie Balls was murdered.
Asked if they believe more people were involved in the murder of Junie Balls, Williams said that investigations would determine that. If there is anyone else found to have been involved, they will be charged accordingly, he added.
Williams said that they have tightened up police patrols in the city, mainly because they believe that there will be retaliation shootings in Belize City, noting that one had already taken place.
Williams said that after questioning Lucius Myers, who was yesterday charged with attempted murder after he was caught with a .38 and a ski mask after reportedly shooting Mark Flowers in the buttocks, they realized that it was a retaliation shooting for the murder of Junie Balls.
Chester Williams told the media that the police would embark on “swift and severe action” to control the city for the upcoming September celebrations. “I’m damn serious,” said Superintendent Williams. He said the police would be augmented by Belize Defence Force personnel and also police recruits. Talking tough, Chester said the “time for dialogue is over.”
We had been informed by some young men who were very good friends with Junie Balls that police visited them this Tuesday morning, some hours before the wanted poster had been officially released of the accused Edward Lord, and showed them the picture, telling them, “This is the man that killed your general.” We asked Williams what he had to say about that.
Williams said that the police would never do such a thing, and moreover it is unethical. Guzman said that they may have been talking about the wanted poster, but said that it cannot be true, when we told him it was before the poster was even released.
George “Junie Balls” McKenzie, 33, was once considered the leader of the Crips gang in Belize, but in the last few years of his life he was known to have changed a great deal and was working with youth football teams.
Shortly after 10:00 on Monday night, August 27, though, Junie Balls was shot dead as he stood in front of Chon Sing Restaurant, located at the south entrance of Majestic Alley on North Front Street.
Police reported that information gained through investigations revealed that a lone gunman rode up on a bicycle and, after parking it, shot Junie Balls from behind, hitting him just behind the ear. He died on the spot.
They found out who the gunman is, and in the latter part of Tuesday, a day after the murder, they released his identity, along with a wanted poster.
Junie Balls’ death shocked the entire Majestic Alley crowd. Everyone came out when they heard he was shot. They were mad, mainly because, as one of his very good friends put it, they took his life when he was a changed man. Moreover, they attacked him from behind, which makes it even worse.
To many in that area, he was considered a leader. To them he was the “Godfather” or the “General.”
A group who called him one of theirs and who called him the “General” had wonderful things to say about the changed Junie Balls. He was a lively man, always keeping it real. He was also the chef of the house and will be remembered as “bubbling the pot” in the kitchen. Anyone who passed “Commoners” would tell you that that was his spot – the kitchen. He could cook great too, they added.
He loved football and was coaching a football team with youths. He had also organized football competitions before.
His common-law wife, Michelle Major, who has been with him for sixteen years – from the early days when he was considered bad – is at a loss for words today. She was asleep when she was awakened with the news that her husband and the father of her two children, was shot dead and was still lying in front of Chon Saan.
When she got there and saw him lying partially on the sidewalk and on the street she burst into tears.
A post-mortem conducted on Junie Balls certified that he died from three shots. The first shot entered the back of the head and that bullet is lodged in the middle of the forehead. One entered behind the left ear and exited through the throat. The third bullet went through the left eye and is lodged in the brain. The post-mortem showed that Junie Balls died from massive brain damage due to the gunshot wounds.
Funeral arrangements have been finalized for this coming Saturday, September 1. The body will lie at his home from 12 midday to 2:00 p.m. Services are scheduled for 3:00 at St. Mary’s Church.
If the name Edward Lord rings a bell, it is because he has been charged for two other murders, including that of Sherwin Requeña, who was gunned down near his home in 2005.