On Tuesday, June 1, the Guardian visited 37-year-old Steven Emmanuel Buckley at his home where we found him recovering from a gunshot he received at the hands of a police inspector. On April 28 police intercepted a green Dodge pickup truck in the area of Kraal Road and Guerrero Street. The truck was being driven by construction worker Marlon Myers. Police claim that they saw the occupants dip their heads as if reaching for something. According to
Inspector Dennis Lopez, his shotgun then went off by accident hitting Buckley in the face. However, the occupants of the vehicle and people in the area claim they heard two shots and it was definitely no accident. Buckley was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he underwent life saving surgeries. After spending 32 days in the hospital recovering from at least 16 pellet wounds to the face, he was released on Monday.
While we were at his home on Tuesday, Buckley was being interviewed by a police officer about the night of the incident. He said that he remembers the incident well. While driving on Kraal Road a police vehicle pulled up in front of them. He said that the lights from the police truck were very bright and it was right in their face. Marlon Myers, the driver of the truck, took off his lights. Buckley said that it was 5 seconds after that two shots were fired. He leaned over to his friend who was trying to exit the vehicle and said, “Ah get shot ina mi face”.
Buckley is expected to make a full recovery. At this point he still needs assistance to get around. His friend Marlon Myers was there with him on Tuesday and the two were cracking jokes as usual. However, things have changed for Buckley. He has bills to pay and a family to feed. On Wednesday, June 2, we spoke to The Belize Police Department’s Press Officer, Sgt Fitzroy Yearwood, who told us that the department has picked up Buckley’s medical bill and they will provide the family with groceries for a period of time. The department will also cover the family’s rent, water and light bill. Anyone wishing to assist the family while Buckley continues to recover can call the family at 628-5665.
Inspector Dennis Lopez, who is the officer accused of pulling the trigger, remains on administrative leave as the case files remain at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
