By Belize Live News Staff: A 30-year-old taxi operator, Joseph Gabourel Vaccaro, has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison for the murder of alleged PIV gang member Gaston Barrow, following his arraignment before Chief Magistrate Deborah Rogers on Monday.
The incident occurred on September 28, 2025, at Mile 4½ on the George Price Highway, moments after Barrow and three companions departed the Old Belize Compound. Police say shots were fired at their vehicle, resulting in Barrow’s death and injuries to the driver, Hank Carr, who later recovered but has refused to assist investigators.
Vaccaro, a Cumberbatch Street resident with a known history of run-ins with the law, appeared without legal representation in Court #1, where he was read a single count of murder. Due to the seriousness of the offense, no plea was taken, and bail was denied. He will remain in custody until January 6, 2026.
Before being escorted from court, Vaccaro alleged police misconduct, claiming he was unlawfully detained beyond 48 hours before being charged. He said he was initially held at the Racoon Street Police Station from October 1 to October 3, transferred shortly before the 48-hour limit expired, and charged that evening — a timeline he insists violated his constitutional rights.
Investigators from the Gang Intelligence Investigation & Interdiction Unit say surveillance footage from the Old Belize parking lot captured the shooter’s taxi. Further investigation identified Vaccaro as the alleged gunman, leading to his arrest and charge.
