Photo: Jesus Sacul, deceased

by Kristen Ku

ORANGE WALK, Thurs. Aug. 3, 2023

The community of Orange Walk was left in shock and mourning this week when 20-year-old Jesus Sacul lost his life after he fell off a motorcycle while being pursued by the police. This marks the second time in recent months that Orange Walk has been the scene of such a devastating event — the death of a young motorcyclist during a police pursuit, and many residents of the town are accusing police of brutality and excessive use of force.

The tragic incident occurred on Monday, July 31, when Sacul, known in the community as a hardworking deliveryman, was riding pillion on a motorcycle driven by his 19-year-old cousin, Jairo Guerra.

According to Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, police officers were responding to information about two persons on a motorcycle who had just exited the yard of a known drug dealer.

“When the police saw the two individuals on the motorcycle, according to the police, they are saying that they saw the pillion rider with what appeared to be a firearm. The police pursued them with the lights and siren on, indicating for them to stop, and despite the police using lights and siren and indicating to them to stop, they did not stop,” Williams told reporters.

The pursuit came to a tragic end on West San Martin Street in Trial Farm Village when the police mobile reportedly collided with the motorcycle, causing it to crash into a concrete wall.

Sacul and Guerra were thrown from the bike, and sustained extensive injuries. (There are even reports that the police vehicle ran over Sacul.) By the time the family rushed both young men to the Northern Regional Hospital, Sacul was on the verge of death, and Guerra was suffering from severe head injuries and memory loss.

But despite the police’s narrative of it being just a typical pursuit of persons suspected of wrongdoing, numerous eyewitnesses have since reported seeing police shooting at the two men and even running them over, coupled with kicking them while they were down.

Grief-stricken and in disbelief, Sacul’s mother, Olina Gonzalez asserted that her son was not involved in any criminal activity, and denounced the actions of the police and accused the officers of intentionally hitting the motorcycle and running over her son with the police truck, which ultimately led to his death.

Commissioner Williams confirmed that a criminal and internal investigation is ongoing to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The police’s initial report stated that they recovered a firearm at the scene. However, upon further inspection, it was revealed to be a pellet gun.

The incident has reignited the debate surrounding police conduct in Belize and raised concerns about the use of force during pursuits.

With memories of a similar incident just four months ago, when 19-year-old Dyandre Chee was killed after being pursued and shot by police, many in the Orange Walk community are seething.

This anger was seen outside the Northern Regional Hospital, following the incident. Both friends and relatives of Sacul gathered to express their frustration. The police had to use non-lethal rounds to disperse the agitated crowd.

While investigations into this case continue, many in the community believe that police officers often target motorcyclists, viewing them with suspicion and hostility. They argue that this creates a hostile environment and leads to unnecessary confrontations, often resulting in tragedy.

Sacul leaves behind an 11-month-old baby.