Friday, August 21, 2015. Aaron Humes Reporting: There was a shooting incident in Belize City Thursday night, but the intended target was not harmed. In fact, it was one of the persons who lay in wait for him inside the compound of Queen Square Anglican Primary School who wound up hurt.
Officer Commanding Eastern Division (South) Senior Superintendent Chester Williams told reporters that Mark Phillips, 16, and two others were in the compound just before 9:00 p.m. waiting for an unidentified target related to someone he had “beef” with.
When the person showed up, Phillips’ companion opened fire, but the gun snapped. When he tried to fix the problem, the firearm went off and injured Phillips in his abdomen. The target ran off and his would-be attackers did so as well, another companion taking Phillips to hospital.
Phillips, despite his tender age, is well-known to police as a member of the George Street Gang and has faced criminal charges before. His alleged target was not a known troublemaker and was not armed when he passed by the area where Phillips and the others lay in wait. Senior Superintendent Williams says both Philips and his companions, when they are found, will be charged.
Phillips was listed in critical but stable condition as of this morning but is expected to make a full recovery. He remains under police guard at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.