A Foiled Robbery in the City; Businessman Shoots at Robbers

Nov 20, 2018

An attempted robbery at Tommy’s Wholesale on Central American Boulevard in Belize City has left one man injured. On Sunday night, sometime just before nine-thirty, police were called out to the business establishment where they found Chester Humes, an employee of the store, with a gunshot wound to the left arm. Police say that two robbers entered the store and one of them attempted to shoot the storeowner, but the gun snapped. The businessman then fired several shots with his licensed firearm, one of which is believed to have hit Humes. Police say that the Chinese businessman is not expected to be charged as the shooting was accidental.

Insp. Wilfredo Ferrufino, C.I.B., Belize City

“Police responded to shots fired at Tommy’s Wholesale on Central American Boulevard. Upon arrival police spoke to Jia Li a thirty four year old businessman of the said address. He had indicated that he had returned to the residence on Central American Boulevard, he and his workman Chester Humes. They entered the yard. Humes went to the back of the yard and Mr. Li was opening the door to the residence. He noticed that Mr. Humes was taking long to return. He called out to him. When he did, Mr. Humes returned being accosted by two masked individuals, one of whom was armed. They approached Mr. Li and one of the assailants was said to shoot. The gunman pulled the trigger, the gun snapped. Mr. Li then pulled his firearm and fired several shots. As a result, the two masked men made good their escape however Mr. Chester Humes was shot in the left forearm. We believe that it as the friendly fire from Mr. Li’s firearm. Police also recovered a three-eighty pistol from the same yard for the complainant. It was loaded with four live rounds of ammunition.”

Police say that later that night, they responded to a report of an individual suffering a gunshot wound to the leg. That person is now under police guard as he is believed to be one of the persons involved in the attempted robbery at Tommy’s Wholesale.