BELIZE CITY, Mon. Oct. 12, 2020– Two brazen murders occurred over the extended weekend in Belize City. Police say that in both instances, motorcycles were used in the execution of these crimes, and gunmen targeted specific victims.
The first murder took place on Saturday night, October 10, in front of “Alaska,” a popular store on the northside of Belize City which allows illegal public drinking near their establishment. Leon “Lova” Peyrefitte, 34, was fatally shot while socializing outside Alaska. He was with his wife and some friends when the murder occurred.
Reports are that Peyrefitte was near his truck when two persons on a motorcycle drove up. The passenger jumped off the motorbike and proceeded to fire the first and fatal head-shot, which hit Peyrefitte at point-blank range; he then fired four additional shots at Peyrefitte, indicating that he was the direct target.
Police have said that the motive for the murder may have stemmed from a family dispute.
Supt. Alejandro Cowo, Officer Commanding CIB, said, “We have interviewed several persons, and based on what we are gathering, it might be a possibility of a family dispute.”
Cowo said that several persons of interest have been interviewed, including Peyrefitte’s wife, who was with him at the time of his death. The police suspect that the crime could be a domestic-related matter.
Peyrefitte is not known to have any gang affiliation or criminal history. His family maintains that he was a hardworking and honest man, an employee of FT Williams and Associates for nearly 15 years. He leaves behind 2 young daughters.
The second murder in Belize City over the weekend claimed the life of Shakeem Dennison, 26, a Belize City resident of Rivero Street. Police said that on the evening of Monday, October 12, Dennison was playing basketball on the Yarborough court with friends when a lone gunman rode up on a motorcycle and shot him.
“He was at the basketball court along with other friends playing basketball when a male person rode up on a motorcycle, and went directly to him and fired the shots, causing his fatal injuries,” Supt. Alejandro Cowo said.
Dennison was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital by police, but succumbed to his injuries. Police are still trying to pinpoint a direct motive for this murder, since Dennison had no history of gang involvement. He was the primary caregiver for his bed-ridden grandmother since January, and would only go to the Yarborough court to play basketball with his friends.
His suspected murderer is said to be of dark complexion, about 5 feet 9 inches tall, and slimly built. A black Meilun motorcycle was used in the execution of this crime. Police are now investigating both murders.