By Belize Live News Staff: A video circulating on social media is raising concerns about police conduct after a man in Maya Centre village was allegedly pistol-whipped and punched by officers responding to a family dispute. The incident unfolded Friday evening after 46-year-old Juana Salam called Hopkins police for help, stating that her older son, Jonathan Rodriguez, had threatened his 16-year-old brother with a knife.
When police arrived, they questioned Rodriguez, who denied having a weapon and allegedly pushed a police constable. What followed was a violent struggle, during which officers reportedly struck Rodriguez with a pistol and landed a punch to his face. The altercation ended with Rodriguez restrained and handcuffed, then transported to the Southern Regional Hospital for treatment.
The family claims Rodriguez already had a dislocated shoulder before the encounter. While police maintain they were trying to control a volatile situation, the video has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
