Brian Orellana, a 23-year-old officer with the Belize Coast Guard, has been accused of hitting a woman with a handgun and firing the unlicensed weapon in public during the incident. It happened around 8:00 a.m. on Monday, September 2, 2019 at the residence of Christina Teul in the San Martin area of Belmopan. According to Teul, Orellana showed up at her house, obviously infuriated, and an argument between the two commenced. Orellana and Teul’s brother had reportedly had a dispute the previous night over the illegal use of electricity and Teul’s brother claims that Orellana broke his windshield. The Teul’s said that it was after their brother reported the matter to the police that Orellana appeared at their home, seemingly to send a message. The dispute between Orellana and Teul led to him pulling a firearm, pistol-whipping Teul, and pointing it at her son who attempted to defend his mother before firing a shot.
According to investigators, the firearm that Orellana used was not a Coast Guard-issued firearm and is unlicensed. In most cases, such accused persons would be facing firearm offenses which would be automatic jail time while the court prepares the case for trial. In this case, however, there is an issue. According to A.C.P. Joseph Myvett, no firearm charges can be levied if the firearm is not found and investigators do not have the specific firearm. He does, however, concede that a single expended shell was recovered from the scene.
On Tuesday, September 3, 2019, police arrested and charged Orellana for two counts of aggravated assault, one count of wounding, and one count of discharging a firearm in public.
