_{Photo: Cruz Magaña, deceased}

by Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Tues. June 5, 2024

Police are searching for two suspects in connection with the robbery and subsequent execution of Cruz Magaña, a 32-year-old businessman, inside his home in the Fresh Pond area of Burrell Boom Village, Belize District, on Monday night, June 4.

The incident took place around 8:30 p.m. Reports are that at about that time, two armed men approached the Magaña residence, which also is the location of the family’s shop. Cruz Magaña’s sister and mother had been sitting on the porch and saw the men coming closer, while Cruz had been lying in a hammock.

The two men then forced their way into the residence and demanded cash, as they held the family of three hostage. After retrieving the cash that was hidden in a room in the home, they reportedly shot Magaña approximately three times, then fled. He reportedly died at the scene, but was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Reportedly, a sum of $2,300 in cash was stolen from the residence, along with several electronic devices and a bracelet. The family believes that the robbery and murder were carried out by someone whom they know, since the robbers knew how to maneuver their way through the home, and one of the robbers wore a mask.

No one has been detained yet in connection with the incident.

Magaña was well-known in the community and was said to be a jovial person. He had resigned from his job at a call center to chase his dream of being an entrepreneur to provide for his family.