By Belize Live News Staff: Police have charged 22-year-old Jermaine Joseph Cruz with the murder of Santiago Rajo, a church leader who was fatally shot while trying to defend his brother from an attack in Teakettle Village earlier this month.
Rajo, 46, was killed in the early hours of February 9 in the Arizona area of Teakettle. Authorities say he intervened when three masked men assaulted his brother, but the confrontation turned deadly when he was shot.
After weeks of investigation, police arrested Cruz, a construction worker from the Cayo District, and formally charged him with Rajo’s murder. Authorities have not disclosed whether they are pursuing additional suspects.
Rajo, a father of five, was well-known in his community for his leadership in the church. His death has left residents in shock, with many calling for justice and increased security in the area.
Police continue to investigate the incident as they work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack and whether Cruz acted alone.
