Charles Nolberto Killed, Three Injured in Taylor’s Alley Shooting

Police have confirmed the death of 31-year-old Charles Nolberto following a shooting on Saturday night in the Taylor’s Alley area of Belize City. According to investigators, Nolberto was among four men who were socialising near Cemetery Road at around 7:10 p.m. when a black Chevrolet vehicle pulled up in front of them. Police say a person inside the vehicle opened fire, killing Nolberto and injuring three other men.

Stacy Smith, ASP, Belize Police Department: “As it relates to that incident, police are seeking a vehicle of interest which has since been identified as a result of the efforts of the personnel at the Crime Fusion Center in relation to the investigation into the murder of 31-year-old Charles Nolberto and the shooting injury of 29-year-old Charles Middleton, 32-year-old Cesario Choco, and 43 year old Clifford Oliveira. The investigation commenced at approximately 7:10pm when officers were alerted to the sounds of shots being fired on Cemetery Road, Belize City. What we have established so far through the use of technology at the Crime Fusion and Operations Centre is that four male persons were socialising when a black Chev is stopped in front of these four male persons and an individual from inside the vehicle fired upon the group resulting in the fatal shooting of Nolberto and the injury of the three others who are in stable condition.”

The three injured men have been identified as 29-year-old Charles Middleton, 32-year-old Cesario Choco, and 43-year-old Clifford Olivera. Police say all three men were taken for medical treatment and are in stable condition. Investigators say surveillance footage from the Crime Fusion and Operations Centre has assisted in the investigation, and police have identified a vehicle of interest that they are currently trying to locate.

Stacy Smith, ASP, Belize Police Department: “Similarly, as was indicated and which forms the basis of the actions that was taken to the interns of the state of emergency. It is gang rivalry. However, on this occasion, it is not internal but opposing gangs. It has not been conclusively determined, but what I will say and what history has proven as it relates to the climate that is attendant to when there is rivalry, it could be that two gangs are going at each other but because this incident happened the culture that is present when it comes to gang and gang activity it somewhat sends the message to other gangs who may not have any particular triggering event for them to get busy because according to them the streets are hot and it is time for them to prove themselves that they are a gang as well to be reckoned with. And that is why we as a department, having observed this, we are committed to ensure that what has stood as the norm in relation to these incidents does not take into effect.”

Unlike some of the recent murders being investigated as internal gang conflicts, police say their initial assessment is that the Taylor’s Alley shooting involved opposing gangs. Both Nolberto and Middleton were previously among individuals detained during a 2024 state of emergency, following a deadly robbery investigation. However, police have not linked those past detentions to Saturday night’s shooting. Investigations remain ongoing as police continue efforts to identify those responsible. Authorities are asking anyone with information that can assist the investigation to come forward as police work to bring the matter before the courts.