ORANGE WALK TOWN, Mon. Dec. 18, 2017 — This year’s Christmas season brought devastation and heartache for Jaime Pelayo, Sr., a retired warrant officer from the Belize Defence Force, and his family. Pelayo’s eldest son, Jaime “James” Pelayo, Jr., 35, of Orange Walk Town, was shot and killed at about 4:00 Friday morning, while standing in front of D GYM Cool Spot on the Belize-Corozal Road (Philip Goldson Highway) in the town, after attending a social gathering with his friends.
James Pelayo, who received gunshot wounds in the chest, was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Police said that James had been talking to two women in front of D GYM Cool Spot, when a man approached and fired shots in their direction. The two women were grazed, but James was hit in the chest. After shooting at the trio the gunman escaped. Reports are that police investigators have identified a man who they believe can assist them with this case, but he has not yet been found. This announcement was made by ACP Joseph Myvette during a police press brief that was held at the Racoon Street Police Station this morning.
Warrant Officer, Pelayo said that he had been anticipating his son’s death and was preparing for it, because his son was affiliated with gangs. However, he does not believe that this shooting was gang- related. He believes his son was not targeted, but that he was killed by a man who was drunk, and who was recklessly wielding a gun and randomly shooting in the area.
Pelayo said he wants the killer to be brought to justice. The grieving father said that James was a loving son who always hugged him before he left home.
In an interview with 7News’ Daniel Ortiz, Pelayo spoke in greater detail about his son’s loving nature. “James had his ups and downs with the law, really ups and downs with the law. And I have spoken to him, more than once, ‘stop doing what you are doing’. But he has a tendency that if he makes friends with you, and if you commit a crime, he will save you, and he will go. He has that — I don’t know why he does that. He went to jail 3 years for somebody. He did nothing, but he went to jail for 3 years. Then, he went back another year, then he went back 2 years, and 3 years, and 1 year, and 6 months. You know, I make a joke of it. It’s my son; he’s my son,” Pelayo said.
James, Jr. is survived by his four-year-old daughter, his common-law wife, his parents, his brothers and sisters, and a host of relatives and friends.