Photo: Tyrone Young

by Kristen Ku

BELIZE CITY, Tues. Apr. 11, 2023

Tyrone Young, 35, a taxi driver, has been detained and charged with the crime of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Denver Montero, 26, who was among a group of persons who were targeted by a group of robbers last Sunday evening, April 2, while they were swimming in the river in Gracie Rock Village.

According to reports, Montero, along with a number of other persons, including a man named Ryan Kerr, had been swimming in the water near the hammock bridge in the village when 12 individuals, including 5 minors, arrived in a van and proceeded to assault some of the individuals in the water and rob them of their belongings.

During the robbery, Montero was shot and chopped, and Kerr was also injured. Kerr later received medical attention and survived the attack, but Montero succumbed to his injuries.

Shortly after the incident, police intercepted the van in which Young and the 11 other persons in his group were traveling between Miles 14 and 15 in Hattieville. The stolen items were recovered and they were all detained.

Police say they found a number of expended shells at the scene of the robbery and recovered a 9-millimeter pistol that is believed to be the weapon that was used during the incident.

Young appeared in court on April 5, to face the charge of murder, as well as one count of attempted murder, and one count of deadly means of harm.

Police are also expecting to make two more arrests — of Young’s son as well as Aaron Smith, for the robbery and murder at Gracie Rock.

It has been reported, however, that the victims of the robbery and attack are not willing to cooperate with police, which has hindered the Police Department’s efforts to formally charge those two men.