_{Photo: Jaylon Jones, charged}

by Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Fri. Apr. 12, 2024

Last week, it was reported that police had in their custody Jaylon Jones, 18, who is alleged to be one of the two gunmen who executed a Coast Guard officer, 25-year-old Charles James, while he was at a home in the St. Martin De Porres area of Belize City, before engaging in an exchange of gunfire with a Special Patrol Unit officer while they were attempting to escape. It has now been confirmed that Jones, despite the assertions of members of his family that he was not involved in the shooting, has been charged with murder.

Friday’s Amandala reported that on Wednesday night, April 10, around 8:00 p.m., James was inside the residence when two men entered and fired shots in his direction, killing him instantly. While the duo were attempting to flee, however, they were stopped by an off-duty Special Patrol Unit (SPU) officer, whom they fired shots at, which prompted the officer to return gunfire, which injured Jones, a Belize City resident, in the leg.

The following morning, Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams told members of the media that Jones was one of the triggermen, despite what persons on social media were claiming.

“From all indications, he was dressed in the same clothing that one of the two alleged gunmen were dressed in. And police also followed the blood trail from where the officers had fired shots at the gunmen, and the blood trail led to where he was found; so we were assured that he was one of those persons who is involved in the murder, and was also one of those who shot at the police,” he said.

Police have not yet found Jones’ accomplice in the shooting.