Two men detained following a police shootout and high-speed chase in Belmopan

Two men have been detained by police following a shootout in the capital city of Belmopan. A joint operation by police led to the detention of Belmopan Call Center agents, 20-year-old Culzac Vaughn and 23-year-old Camron Adolphus. At around 8:31 this morning, shots rang off in the Salvapan community.  Surveillance footage shows a black Nissan Altima, occupied by Vaughn and Adolphus, attempted to turn onto El Salvador Street, when police opened fire on the vehicle. The officers on the ground quickly set chase after the individuals who were ultimately caught in the J&W Area. Twenty-eight 7.62 rounds, fifteen 9×19 rounds, and eight 9mm rounds and a Beretta 9mm pistol were found inside the vehicle. Vaughn sustained a graze to the back of his right leg, while Adolphus suffered a graze to the head during the exchange. Staff Officer, ASP Stacy Smith told us more about this morning’s joint operation. 

ACP Stacy Smith, Belize Police Department: “Police have detained two male persons for firearm related offenses following a joint operation which consisted of surveillance and tactical response teams. This operation climaxed at around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday 14 May 2026 in Belmopan City when the persons of interest were apprehended and seized was a 9mm Beretta pistol which contained a magazine with 6 live rounds of 9mm ammunition and additional 8 live rounds of 9mm ammunition which was found in the vehicle, 28 7 .62 rounds of ammunition and 16.22 live rounds of ammunition. Additionally, given that the responding officers would have discharged their weapons, the Department’s internal review mechanism is underway.” 

The department’s Joint operation has caused concerns as the incident took place just a few hundred yards from the St. Martin’s Government Primary School. While police have since detained the two suspects, ASP Smith was still tight-lipped and refused to discuss the details that led to police targeting Vaughn and Adolphis.