HATTIEVILLE, Belize District, Mon. May 30, 2016–Gerald ‘Shiny’ Tillett, reputed boss of the George Street gang, was executed by rivals almost a month ago. Since then, a number of individuals believed to be associates or allies of the rival gang which many suspect caused his death, have lost their lives in a sequence of shootings that have taken place in the last few weeks.
On Saturday at about 2 p.m., Edward Flowers, 26, Richard Wallace, 29, and Michael Wallace, 22, all alleged affiliates of the South Side Gang (SSG), were in a white Nissan Altima leaving the Belize Central Prison in Hattieville on their way back to Belize City when they came under fire.
According to ACP Edward Broaster, when the men reached Mile 9 of the George Price Highway, a blue Blazer pulled in front of the white Altima, while a white Infiniti pulled behind them, releasing a barrage of bullets.
Richard Wallace, who was driving the Altima, exited his vehicle and attempted to run away, but the Blazer knocked him down. Wallace, however, quickly got up and managed to escape.
Edward “Eggy” Flowers, who sat in the back seat, was able to escape unharmed. However, Michael Wallace, who sat in the passenger’s seat, was shot several times in the head and body. He succumbed, to his injuries shortly after 6 a.m. on Sunday.
The Blazer was found abandoned near Homeland Memorial Park, while the Altima was found about 30 feet away in some bushes, with eight bullet holes. The Infiniti, which had attempted to make its way back towards Hattieville, careened off the road and was abandoned by its occupants; inside the vehicle, a live round of 9 mm ammunition was discovered.
On Sunday, the Infiniti allegedly used in this murder was reported stolen, but that report, at this time, remains incomplete.
Though an alleged suspect from the Blazer was apprehended, while onboard a bus heading to Belize City, police believe that there was a fourth vehicle involved in this shooting. They believe the fourth vehicle picked up the suspects who had fled from both vehicles.
The three men who were in the Altima are all known to the police. Brothers Richard and Michael Wallace were jointly charged in 2011 for the armed robbery of De He Li store in December of 2011, while Flowers was charged for assault with a firearm almost one year ago.
Police believe that Wallace was murdered in an act of retaliation for Shiny Tillett’s death.
Wallace is the third of his siblings to be murdered in an apparent gang war.