On Saturday sometime after 6:00 p.m., a social gathering at the famous Mike’s Club at the corner of Regent Street West and West Canal was transformed into a crime scene.

Some of the club’s patrons were playing dominoes, a few were focused on the billiards table and others were watching television and conversing when a man, gun brazenly in hand, walked in and shot Darrington Lauriano, 27, to death.

Police reported that Lauriano, a resident of both Belize City and San Pedro, was shot once in the right side of the forehead, once beneath the nose, once in the right cheek and once in the left arm. He died almost instantly.

After firing the shots, the killer, described as a youth who was dressed in a white T-shirt, dashed out of the club, escaping into the streets from which he had come.

Reports are that Hon. Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Port Loyola area rep, was in Mike’s when the shooting occurred, and he had to dive for cover.

Belize City police reported that they are investigating, but so far, there has been no arrest, and neither has police been able to establish a motive for the killing, although it is believed that Lauriano’s execution may be a consequence of gang rivalry.

Darrington Lauriano was no stranger to police and the courts. He has had a number of brushes with the law and was acquitted of the January 2004 murder of Kareem “Butchie” Broaster.

Lauriano’s family, who reside in Hattieville, declined to speak to the media.