Questions Raised Over SOE Detention Of Teen Facing Attempted Murder Charge

Questions are now being raised over how the ongoing State of Emergency is being enforced after the detention of a teenager already before the courts on an attempted murder charge. The issue surfaced this afternoon in Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where the Chief Magistrate reportedly questioned the legal process being used to detain persons under the SOE without first bringing them before the court.  The teenager, who turned eighteen just seven days ago, was escorted to Court by GI3 personnel shortly after 3:00 this afternoon. He is jointly charged jointly with twenty-five-year-old Tafaree Sanchez for the attempted murder of Jahreem Staine, also known as “32,” in connection with a September 27, 2025 shooting incident on the Philip Goldson Highway near Horizon Academy.  The teenager’s mother says she remains confused and concerned about the entire process and believes the detentions being carried out under the State of Emergency are unlawful.

The teenager was provided with twenty-seven pages of partial disclosure in his attempted murder matter, which has now been adjourned to July 3 for the remainder of the disclosure process. Both Sanchez and the teenager are expected back before the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on July 28.