Belize: 20-year-old American arrested after shooting at police vehicle

Belize: Twenty-year-old Darnain Garcia, an American national and a former U.S. army veteran, was arrested on Monday around 6:00 a.m., in connection with firing on a police vehicle in Lords Bank/Ladyville, Belize, where additional charges are still pending.

According to police reports, the incident took place on Sunday night, around 3:00 a.m., when  27-year-old female victim identified as Jamisha Gentle, contacted the police and reported that “a male suspect is assaulting her and is actively pursuing her by his car.”

Following which, the officers immediately responded to her call and dispatched for the location where they met her on Old Well Road in Ladyville Village, Belize District, while the suspect was still following her. The officers then also attempted to capture the suspect but he somehow managed to escape.

After that the officers decided to transport the female to the local station where the suspect attacked a police vehicle while they were on their way, prompting officers to return fire and upon reaching the station the suspect again shot several fire at the station.

Reacting to what the officers formed a joint task force, including the gang intelligence unit, the Anti-Narcotics Unit, and the Ladyville Quick Response Team through which they located the and arrested Darnain Garcia at around 6:00 a.m., on Monday morning, February 2.

On the same day, ASP Stacy Smith conducted a press briefing in which she disclosed about the incident and praised the officers for their quick and swift response which protected the female victim.

During a briefing, ASP said “at around 6:00 in the morning, officers apprehended the suspect with the help of drone and surveillance cameras. Our officers also recovered a nine millimeter Smith and Wesson brand pistol, which contained 14 live rounds of nine millimeter ammunition in his possession.”

Stacy further claimed the officers also found a bag in his possession which contained an additional six live rounds of nine millimeter ammunition and an AR-15 rifle, which contained 37 live rounds of 5.56 ammunition.

Lastly, she stated that “Garcia was presented before the court where the justice charged him and ordered him to remain in custody."