Sarteneja Fisherman Charged With Murder in Fatal Ranguana Caye Stabbing

Police have formally arrested and charged a Sarteneja fisherman in connection with the fatal stabbing aboard a vessel near Ranguana Caye.  33-year-old Mauri Julian Gomez was charged with murder for the death of 35-year-old Belize City fisherman Jose Luis Arteaga. Gomez was also charged with wounding in relation to the injuries sustained by 34-year-old Marvin Alexander Arteaga.  The charges were formally brought against Gomez last night, following a police investigation into Wednesday’s incident.  As we reported yesterday, Jose Luis and Marvin were among a group of fishermen aboard a vessel anchored approximately 25 feet off the coast of Ranguana Caye on August 12. Police say Jose Luis was stabbed several times and reportedly jumped into the sea after being attacked. Marvin, who was reportedly sleeping aboard the vessel, was also stabbed once to the chest.  Other fishermen intervened, restrained the alleged attacker and took away the knife. They then pulled Jose Luis from the water and sailed toward Placencia to seek medical assistance.  The injured men were transported to the Placencia Polyclinic, where Jose Luis was pronounced dead shortly after six o’clock that evening. Marvin was stabilized and later transferred to the Southern Regional Hospital for further treatment.  Following the investigation, Gomez, a fisherman from Sarteneja Village in the Corozal District, was charged with one count of murder and one count of wounding.