John Jay Rodriguez, the 35 year-old well-known musician from Dangriga Town, was gunned down and killed by a group of armed thieves in a robbery gone bad. The incident happened on Friday, June 3, at around 11 p.m., at Havana Club and Entertainment Center, located on Havana Street in Dangriga.
Police initial investigation is that Rodriguez was gambling at one of the shop’s machines, along with 3 other customers. That’s when 3 robbers, one of whom was armed with a handgun, entered the establishment. The armed assailant immediately demanded that the on duty cashier open the door behind the counter, his intention was clear that they were trying to rob the place. He attempted to kick open the door, but he was unable to. For reasons still unknown, that gunman then turned his gun on the 4 patrons and fired a single shot. The bullet grazed 38 year-old Stanley Venai, one of those men, and continued along its path, hitting Rodriguez in the left side of the face. That injury was fatal, and he collapsed right where he was standing in the store.
Those 3 would-be robbers then ran off and escaped from the scene. The aftermath of his senseless killing has reverberated in the community of Dangriga. He was a promising young musician and recording artist who was in the process of producing his next music album. He is associated with some of the well-known Belizean musicians, such as Supa-G. His friends, family, co-workers, and fans have only the nicest of words to describe Rodriguez, who had a positive impact on all those around him. He will be laid to rest on Friday, June 10, in Hopkins Village, where he is originally from.
