Posted: April 17, 2016. 11:27 a.m. CST.
BBN Staff: Belize City police are on high alert following last night’s murder of George Street gang leader Gerald “Shiney” Tillet in Dangriga. 
There were a string of shootings reported mainly across the south side of the city in the wake of the news. Early reports to BBN indicate that two persons may have been shot but this has not yet been confirmed by police.
Eastern Division South Commander, ACP Chester Williams took to his Facebook this morning to inform the public that the police department will be stepping up its operation presence in known gang ridden areas to mitigate any likely retaliation.
Williams said the police would also be taking other measures but didn’t specify what exactly those would be. He asked that Belize City residents bear patience with the department as it does what is “necessary to ensure the safety of all while respecting the rights of those grieving for the loss of their loved one.”
Williams also apologized in advanced for any inconveniences that would be caused by the police department, indicating that he may be considering other tough and unpopular decisions like last month’s9 o’clock curfew, which was criticized by UNICEF and Mayor Darrell Bradley.
Tillet took control of the George Street gang after his brother and former leader of the gang, Shelton “Pinky” Tillet, was killed in April 2012. “Pinky” was allegedly killed by notorious Taylor’s Alley gang leader Arthur Young, who was later reportedly killed by police.
It has also been well documented that Prime Minister Dean Barrow and other government officials had met with both of the George Street gang leaders on separate occasions for peace mediations in different instances where public safety became a real concern. Likewise, it is also well documented that the government’s infrastructural projects in the city employed many of the gang members associated with George Street and other gangs in the city.
Most recently, however, George Street had been the focus of mediation talks being held by the police department. The gang has been rocked by internal “beef” and Williams indicated several months ago that the mediation talks with the rivaling factions had broken down.
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