James Rudon
The Olivera family of western Belize is trying to cope with their hurt after Lionel Olivera Sr. became the victim of gun violence on Friday, April 23. Olivera, a 57-year-old retired soldier of the Belize Defense Force (BDF), was on duty as a security officer at Cayo One Stop Hardware Store in Santa Elena Town, Cayo. It was a typical night of work for Olivera Sr. but it all changed at around 10:30 p.m. when two men descended on the scene. One of those men pulled out a firearm and fired a single shot to Olivera at close range before fleeing the scene. Police understand that the culprits made off with Olivera’s company issued weapon, a Smith and Wesson 9mm firearm.