By Belize Live News Staff: What should have been a simple afternoon preparing the community football field turned violent in Nuevo San Juan Village over the weekend, and a man is now before the courts as a result.
Police report that on Saturday, July 18, at about 4:40 p.m., a 40-year-old villager was at the field with other residents painting it ahead of a game. A man allegedly walked up to within a few feet of him and declared that he had not forgotten a previous misunderstanding involving the villager’s son.
The man then allegedly drew a silver knife and advanced. The villager backed away, a struggle broke out, and he managed to wrestle the knife away from his attacker. He did not escape unhurt, suffering a cut to his back, another to his left hand, and a bite under his left arm. A doctor later certified the injuries as wounding.
The injured man filed his report at the Trial Farm Sub Station and requested court action. Officers checked the village that evening but did not find the suspect.
The arrest came Monday morning. Police obtained a warrant in the first instance and formally charged Jorje David Mendez, 24, a laborer of Nuevo San Juan Village, with wounding. He was cautioned and remained silent.
