Coast Guard Commander says he was threatened; Police say no grounds to detain anyone

Nearly one month after the home of Belize Coast Guard Commander Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis was targeted in a shooting incident, and weeks after he was reportedly threatened by an armed man in the Belize District, police say no arrests have been made and investigators have found no grounds at this time to formally detain anyone in connection with the matter.

Rear Admiral Soberanis has now confirmed to Love News that both incidents did in fact occur. The first involved his residence being targeted while he was out of the country attending an official engagement in New Orleans. The second incident reportedly occurred on May eleventh in Burrell Boom Village, where Soberanis and his driver were allegedly confronted by an armed individual who took photographs of them and issued verbal threats.

While sources have indicated that the alleged individual involved was identified by the complainants, police say the matter remains under review.  ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer for the Belize Police Department, says statements obtained during the investigation have not supported criminal charges at this stage.

Police sources have additionally indicated that the matter may stem from an ongoing land dispute involving persons known to the commander. Authorities also noted that the earlier attack on Soberanis’ home reportedly involved the use of a BB gun and not live ammunition.