by Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Tues. Dec. 12, 2023

Albert Valentine, 29, originally of Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District, was shot to death in broad daylight in Belize City on Tuesday, December 12.

According to initial police reports, sometime after 7:00 a.m., Valentine was walking alone on Elston Kerr Street after departing from a store on Antelope Street, and was headed in the direction of Racoon Street (near to Iguana Street Extension) when he encountered two males on bicycles, one of whom pulled out a firearm and proceeded to fire several gunshots in his direction, which severely wounded him.

When police arrived at the scene shortly after, they found an injured Valentine in a nearby drain. Two of the officers and a bystander lifted him out of the drain and transported him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he passed away.

Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams told members of the local media that two suspects are being sought by the department, and officers are monitoring the area to prevent possible retaliation by other known gang figures.

Valentine had been known by police officers in Toledo as a gang affiliate, and had been charged for various offenses. Notably, an attempt was made on Valentine’s life in 2019, while he was residing in Punta Gorda Town, which led to his relocation to Belize City.

ComPol Williams described the deceased as a “freelance” in the underworld groups, and believed this is what led to his demise.

“Albert Valentine has been somewhat of a freelance in the gang world. He was originally an affiliate of Rocky Road, then he went to SSG, then he went to Boneyard, then he went to this one and that one. So, he has been more of a freelance; and when you have a person who is a freelance in the gang world, that certainly is a recipe for disaster,” he said.