Police say no motive yet in Barry Johnston murder; surveillance footage aiding investigation

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Police say they have not yet established a motive for the murder of 33-year-old Barry Johnston, who was gunned down in Belize City’s Kings Park area on Monday night.

According to police, Johnston was speaking with two people who were seated inside a van parked on the street when two men approached and fired several shots. Johnston was fatally wounded, while another man was shot and survived.

Investigators have since obtained surveillance footage from the Crime Fusion Center, which police say is proving useful to the investigation. Police would not confirm reports that an automatic weapon was used.

Public reporting places the shooting at the corner of F and Seventh streets in Kings Park. Surveillance footage provided to Breaking Belize News showed a vehicle leaving the area onto Sixth Street. BBN also previously reported that the second shooting victim was hospitalized in stable condition.

During Tuesday’s police press briefing, investigators were questioned about possible gang connections and whether the killing could be linked to a recent aggravated burglary at Johnston’s home in the Belama area. Police stressed that no motive or connection has been established.

Police confirmed that Johnston was known to law enforcement and had previously been convicted of drug trafficking. Johnston had also faced an aggravated assault with a firearm charge in connection with a 2015 incident. That case did not result in a conviction; in December 2016, the charge against Johnston and three other men was struck out for want of prosecution after the complainant failed to testify.

Police also declined to comment on questions about whether Johnston had any connection to a separate missing-person investigation, saying they would not cast aspersions without evidence.

The investigation continues.

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