HOPE CREEK, Stann Creek District, Tues. June 3, 2018– Jose Salinas, 16, a fourth form student of Hope Creek, is recovering at the Southern Regional after he was beaten and stabbed in his back and abdomen yesterday morning in the village.

Salinas is now declared to be in a serious but stable condition.

Information to us is that yesterday morning, Salinas travelled from Belmopan to Hope Creek on a James Bus and on his arrival in the village three men were waiting for him at the bus stop.

As Salinas got off the bus, they began to punch and kick him. One of the attackers, a 15-year-old minor, stabbed him in the back and between his ribs, and the attackers then escaped.

Salinas was subsequently rushed to the Southern Regional Hospital.

Police launched an immediate investigation into the attack, which led to the arrest of the 15-year-old-youth, and they are presently looking for the other two assailants.

The minor has been detained, and the knife believed to have been the weapon used in the stabbing has been recovered.

Salinas’ family is calling on the police to install and operate a police station in Hope Creek, because, they say, the number of young men in the village has increased, and they are disrespectful, aggressive and violent.

Salinas’ mother was told that he will recover from his injuries, if there are no medical complications.