BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Nov. 25, 2021 — Police have arrested and charged Shawn Hertular, 39, for the Sunday night murder of Miguel Zaiden, 49, which took place on Racecourse Street. Hertular was reportedly among a group of men with whom Zaiden had been intermittently socializing as he circled the area on his motorcycle when an argument broke out between them which led to the stabbing of Zaiden.

After being stabbed, Zaiden, a resident of Amara Avenue, had attempted to depart on his motorcycle, but fell off the motorbike a short distance away and was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after.

This week, Police Communications Director, ASP Fritzroy Yearwood, who is acquainted with the victim, said that Zaiden was known to make offensive comments and engage in small, harmless arguments with people while he was drinking, but never displayed any violence tendencies. Police have identified a number of persons who witnessed the incident and are hoping investigators can get to the bottom of this recent homicide.

For now, the residents of the area will have to grapple with the loss of a well-known member of their community who was known for his outgoing personality and was often seen riding around on his motorcycle.

Shawn Hertular has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison on one count of murder until January 25. Incidentally, he had been convicted of a previous murder in the early 2000’s and had been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. It is unclear whether that sentence was reduced.