BELMOPAN – A 43-year-old Dutch woman has been killed in a shooting at a market in Belmopan, the capital of the Central American country Belize. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms this. Two other Dutch people were injured and are being treated in a hospital, a spokesperson said.
A girl is also said to have died as a result of the shooting. The spokesperson says that the Foreign Affairs assumes that this victim has a different nationality. “I understand that there are no further Dutch fatalities.” Previous reports about the nationality of the victims were contradictory.
The Dutch woman who died lived abroad, the spokesperson said. For privacy reasons, the ministry does not provide more information about this because it can quickly be traced back to someone. The spokesperson is also unable to comment on whether the two injured Dutch people are related to the deceased Dutch person. “We are offering consular assistance to the relatives during this terrible time,” the spokesperson continued.
The incident led to shocked reactions in Belize. Local media reports that someone opened fire at a market. The management of the Belmopan Market Plaza confirmed in a statement that two people were killed. “It concerns a minor and an adult, who were customers at the market.”
The market calls the incident extremely tragic and says it is cooperating with the police. Media in Belize report that the suspected shooter has been arrested. The motive for the shooting has not yet been released.
