One of the suspects is the father of the policeman’s girlfriend’s two children, say police

A policeman was ambushed and murdered in the Another World area of Roaring Creek and his family and the Police Department are mourning his death. His family, in particular, is trying to come to grips with the cruel way in which he had been killed.

Police Constable Bertchel Eyon Ramirez, 36, of Belmopan, was gunned down about 11:20 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, by four men who ambushed him and fired 12 to 15 shots into his car. Ramirez was shot in his head, chest and body, and his car was left riddled with bullet holes.

The policeman’s father-in-law told Amandala that Ramirez, his girlfriend and his sister-in-law (the father-in-law’s two daughters), were sitting in his car, parked in front of his yard, at about 11:10 p.m. on Tuesday, when they heard some shots.

The girls got out of the car, and Ramirez drove off to investigate the gunshots. He saw a person run down the road towards a culvert, and he drove down to the area.

When he arrived by the curve near the culvert, however, three other people were waiting in ambush and they began firing at him. He tried to maneuver the car to escape, but when he turned, he drove into the drain, and the car bogged and couldn’t turn.

The father-in-law said that one of the gunmen went up to the car and fired more shots into him, ensuring that he was dead, and then they ran away.

He said that he and others ran toward the area, and saw Ramirez covered with numerous bullet wounds. The father-in-law said that his daughter held the wounded policeman, her boyfriend, in her arms, while he was still alive.

Police came and took Ramirez to the Belmopan Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Assistant Superintendent Sinquest Martinez, Officer Commanding Belmopan Police Formation, during a press brief yesterday, Wednesday, in his office at the Belmopan Police Station, told Amandala and other reporters that they have launched an investigation into the murder, and with the cooperation of the residents, by 2:00 a.m. that Wednesday, shortly after the murder, the first suspect was in their custody; two and a half hours later, at 4:30 a.m., a second suspect also was also detained.

ASP Martinez said that they are now seeking two others, and that one of the suspects in custody is the father of the policeman’s girlfriend’s two children. He said that the suspects knew the policeman, and he knew them. Jealousy is believed to be the motive, ASP Martinez said. He added that the firearms have not yet been recovered, but they recovered about a dozen expended shells, some live rounds and a magazine at the scene.

P.C. Ramirez had been a part of the Belmopan Police Formation for at least 7 years, and was well known in the area,

ASP Martinez said that the individuals who are key to their investigation are cooperating and the case should be solved shortly.

PC Ramirez was the father of three children, and stepfather of two. His colleagues at the Belmopan Police Station said that he was dedicated and easy to get along with. They said he will be missed.

The post-mortem that was conducted on his body by Doctor Mario Estrada Bran yesterday, Wednesday, revealed that PC Ramirez died of exsanguinations due to multiple gunshot wounds.

Belmopan police announced today that a third suspect has been “reeled in”, and they are now seeking the fourth and last suspect.