Esperanza VILLAGE, Cayo District, Mon. Jan. 11, 2021– Police are investigating the murder of 34-year-old Gabino Garnett, Jr., which took place in Esperanza Village, Cayo District, on Monday night, January 11, 2021, a little before 8:00 p.m. Reports are that Garnett was about to leave the home of his girlfriend, Kenia Montejo, located on Middle Bank Road, when a barrage of shots rang out. Shortly after, he yelled out to Montejo, who ran outside to see the father of her 10-month-old son, severely wounded and in pain.
The assailant who had fired the shots was seen fleeing the scene. Garnett was rushed to the San Ignacio Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival at the facility. His young family is now left to grapple with the loss of a loving father and partner.
In an interview with local media, Kenia Montejo lamented, “My baby wah turn 1 on March 6th; me and Gabino sit down and plan our baby birthday party. That’s what we do most of the time. He was happy he had a son; this is his first son. He has a daughter, but this is the first son he has. And his daughter, Zara, and Zhidan stick on. He give this baby the name Zhidan. That is all I keep with — the name, the memories, and everything. They just take that away.”
Reports from police are that an attempt was made on Garnett’s life prior to this incident, three weeks ago, when shots were fired at him. In 2014, Garnett was arraigned for the stabbing of Earl Baizar, who died as a result of those injuries.
Police currently have one individual detained in connection with the shooting of Garnett. Reports are that the suspected assailant, dressed in fully dark clothing, was seen running from the murder scene shortly after the shots were fired.
Gabino Garnett was a father of four, his youngest child, a baby boy, recently turned 10 months old. He will be remembered as a loving father to his children and partner. The San Ignacio community took to social media early this week, mourning the passing of Garnett.
Police are conducting a full investigation into this recent homicide.