BELIZE CITY, Mon. Oct. 5, 2020– “I can’t help everybody, because even I have to build myself. I have a lot of work to do, but real growth has never come to me the way I would want to see a lot of young people take off into the music world in Belize.
“Set your mind right, and if you set your mind right, anything is possible, people. The sky is the limit.”
Those were the words of Belizean artist Mr. Program, born Gilbert Alamilla, as he addressed issues in Belize’s music industry in a docu-series that premiered six months ago on YouTube.
The 36-year-old was fatally stabbed on Friday, October 3, 2020, at an apartment on Simon Lamb Street by an acquaintance.
Information from law enforcement suggests that Alamilla frequently visited the apartment at #42 Simon Lamb Street to socialize, but unfortunately, this time he was caught up in a sinister plot to snuff out his life.
He, along with Marlon Bell and others, were at the premises at around 1:00 a.m. when Raheem Marsden arrived and allegedly threatened to kill them if another acquaintance, known as Clayton White, did not kill Alamilla.
Marsden allegedly armed White with a knife to carry out the murderous assault. Alamilla was stabbed multiple times in the upper body and was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), but by 3:00 a.m., he was pronounced dead.
“This dah wah intentional death. They mi wah do ah that, probably from a long ago. They hurt somebody weh always di help people. Sometimes we try help people and they nuh really appreciate what we do for them”, said Mr. Program’s brother, Kareem Alamilla.
One day after Alamilla’s tragic death, on Saturday, October 3, 2020, Clayton Lanston White, a 49-year-old Belizean labourer of a Belize City address, was charged with the murder of the artist. Police have also issued a wanted poster for Raheem Marsden, 28, the man who investigators believe ordered the killing.
Mr. Program’s talent was widely recognized in the Belizean community, and many are wistful as they contemplate the immense talent and promise in Mr. Program that never reached fruition, because of lack of opportunity.
It has been reported that, in fact, Mr. Program was recording a set of new songs, and was on the cusp of a major comeback.
Mr. Program is most well-known for his song, “See I rise,” and there now seems to be an eerie foreshadowing in its lyrics: “Nuff ah dem nuh want fu see I rise. Nuff ah dem want fu see me fall and die.”
Mr. Program leaves behind two sons. The family of the departed musical talent has set Thursday, October 8, 2020, as the date for his burial at the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City. Other arrangements have not yet been disclosed.
The family is making a public appeal for assistance to cover the funeral expenses. If you are able to assist, you can make a deposit to Atlantic Bank account 211-744-031.
Mr. Program’s brother, Joel Alamilla, can be reached at 632-2592.