Photo: Raheem O’Neal Vernon

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Nov. 21, 2022

A resident of Gales Point Manatee has been charged with the murder of police corporal Lorray Arzu. The 28-year-old, identified as Raheem O’Neal Vernon, was formally arrested and charged by police sometime this morning and is awaiting arraignment, when it is expected that he will be remanded for the indictable offense.

The 27-year-old police officer was shot fatally in the head in the New Site area of Dangriga on Wednesday, October 12, following an argument between Vernon and a man with whom Arzu had been sitting in a parked vehicle, Leonel Rowland. After the shooting, Arzu had to undergo brain surgery and was on life support, but succumbed days later on a Sunday morning.

Rowland, 44, survived the attack. He is said to have been involved in an argument with the alleged gunman prior to the attack, and he received three gunshot wounds. Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams at the time stated that Rowland may have been the direct target.