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US tourist killed by gunfire in Belize

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MEXICO CITY (AP) — The United States Embassy in the Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation.

Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local outlet 7 News Belize on Saturday that two men had been arrested and charged with murder in the killing that occurred Friday night in San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye, a popular tourist destination.

The U.S. Embassy, in keeping with State Department policy, did not identify the victim. However, New Orleans media outlet nola.com identified her as J’Bria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University.

Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub.

“The tourist was not the intended target, it just so happened she was in the line of fire between these two factions,” Williams told 7 News Belize. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader.

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American Tourist Shot Dead In Belize, US State Department Confirms

The United States Embassy in the Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of an American tourist there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation, Associated Press reported.

According to Nola.com , the victim’s name is J’Bria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University.

Bowens was struck by a stray bullet. The gunmen began shooting at a group of people who were partying at Jaguar’s nightclub. The club is located in San Pedro’s Central Park.

The American tourist was taken to the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. She was already dead on arrival.

Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local news outlets that Belize officers arrested two men, charging them with murder in the killing that occurred Friday night in San Pedro town.

“The tourist was not the intended target, it just so happened she was in the line of fire between these two factions,” Williams told 7 News Belize. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader.

US national killed in nightclub shooting #Belize 23 year old #LSU nursing student J'Bria Michelle Bowens an Indianapolis IN native lost her life Friday night 30 January 2022 when a gunman opened fire against a person outside Jaguar's nightclub on Ambergris Caye Belize. pic.twitter.com/94qBPRi2F4 — Belize.com (@Belizean) December 31, 2022

Random Act Of Terrorism

Belize Prime Minister John Briceño confirmed that police have arrested a number of persons in connection with the murder of the American tourist.

Briceño has directed Police Commissioner Chester Williams to lead the investigation into her death.

In a statement, Briceño described Bowens’ death as a “random act of terrorism”.

Bricño stated he understands the outrage that exists in the community given the impact it can have on the vital tourism sector.

However, the Prime Minister emphasized that San Pedro remains a safe place for people to visit.

“San Pedro has long enjoyed peace and security as a result of strong, disciplined Police presence and solid community support,” he said.

He has called on residents of San Pedro to stand with police as they hunt for criminals in the community.

Caution While Traveling

In October 2022, the U.S. State Department listed Belize as a Level 2 travel advisory for Belize. According to the document, the country urges “increased caution” due to high levels of violent crime, “such as sexual assault, home invasions, armed robberies, and murder – are common even during daylight hours and in tourist areas.”

State Department also advised that travelers must exercise caution while traveling to the south side of Belize City. Local police lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Most crimes remain unresolved and unprosecuted,” it added.

San Pedro Town is the one and only town on the popular Caribbean island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. As the most-visited destination in the country, San Pedro is home to the ‘second-largest’ barrier reed in the world. The San Pedro Barrier Reef. It holds a diverse number of species. One of the primary industries in the town is tourism, most notably scuba diving.

San Pedro nightlife offers restaurants, bars and nightclubs. However, the city’s party scene isn’t a wild one like some other parts of the Caribbean. The most popular nightclub in town is Jaguar’s Temple. It’s also the only nightclub that opens after midnight.

In December 2022, Belize dropped all Covid-related travel restrictions. The country also lifted the mask mandate, but travelers may still need a mask for their inbound flight and inside the airport. Also, Belize is no longer requiring testing for entry, regardless of vaccination status.

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American tourist killed in Belize, identified as ABC7 Chicago's Anne Swaney

CHICAGO -- An American tourist was killed in Belize, and the victim was identified as Anne Swaney, executive producer of digital operations at our sister station, ABC7 Chicago.

"We offer our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones on their loss," said a U.S. State Department spokesman in Washington.

Swaney, 39, was an avid world traveler and on a vacation in the Cayo District of western Belize, a popular destination for American adventure travelers and horse enthusiasts. She was staying at the Nabitunich Farm near a tiny town called San Jose Succotz.

Hotel owner Santiago Juan tells ABC7 Chicago she was killed on "public land" near the hotel. Juan reported her missing Thursday afternoon.

"At 8 a.m. yesterday, Anne went to the Mopan River to do her yoga practice," said Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu. She apparently had planned to go on a horseback expedition Thursday morning, but when the group came up one animal short, Swaney stayed behind.

"A horse riding tour returned in the afternoon and found her personal effects on the deck. This looked suspicious, so they went to her cabin, and she wasn't there. They told the owner who called the police. The police came with their canine unit, and the scent led them along the river but due to the darkness the search was called off for the night before finding her," Arzu told ABC7 Chicago.

Police teams resumed searching Friday morning.

"At 8:15 a.m. (Friday) the police search found her. A physical check showed bruises on her neck and lacerations on either side of her head," Arzu said.

Authorities said Swaney was taken to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize, where she was pronounced dead. Her body was taken to the Belize city morgue, where an autopsy was underway.

Investigators said that they were questioning a man who was seen fishing near the crime scene, but he was not considered a prime suspect at this time. The man, a Guatemalan national, maintains he was just fishing and was not involved in her death, police said.

Swaney is being remembered as a newsroom leader with a penchant for detail and a passion for getting facts straight.

"She was a trailblazer in the digital news space and was one of our first website employees," said John H. Idler, president and general manager of ABC7 Chicago. "Anne helped us evolve our business and our newsroom, but most importantly, she was a kind person who was always had a smile and a positive attitude."

There is not a nationwide tourist advisory in effect for Belize. However, tourists are told to exercise a high degree of caution due to an increasing rate of violent crime throughout the country. In the Cayo District, armed robberies occasionally occur near the western border with Guatemala, especially near Caracol to the south.

Police say criminal activity, including armed robbery, mugging and sexual assault, is a significant problem throughout Belize. Robberies and assaults have been reported in resort areas. There has been a noted increase in violent crime targeting tourists since the end of 2013. Criminals often operate in groups and target persons traveling alone.

Cases of sexual assault against female travelers have also be been reported in that district.

Drug-related crimes are also on the uptick. The transit of drugs, particularly cocaine and precursor chemicals for methamphetamine, has risen. Belize was included on the FY12, 13 and 14 U.S. Majors List of illegal narcotic producing and/or transit countries.

In January 2014, two American citizens were kidnapped at gunpoint from a resort area near the western border with Guatemala. A Canadian filmmaker was killed in January 2015 to the south of the district. And in May 2015, two American men were murdered in a suspected drug-related armed robbery. An 18-year old suspect was charged.

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US tourist killed by gunfire in Belize

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The United States Embassy in the Central American nation of Belize on Sunday confirmed the death of a U.S. citizen there and said it was closely monitoring the local investigation.

Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams told local outlet 7 News Belize on Saturday that two men had been arrested and charged with murder in the killing that occurred Friday night in San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye, a popular tourist destination.

The U.S. Embassy, in keeping with State Department policy, did not identify the victim. However, New Orleans media outlet nola.com identified her as J’Bria Bowens, a nursing student a Louisiana State University.

Bowens was apparently struck by gunfire outside a nightclub.

“The tourist was not the intended target, it just so happened she was in the line of fire between these two factions,” Williams told 7 News Belize. He said the attackers used an assault rifle and the intended target had been a local gang leader.

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Belize: U.S. Tourist Shot and Killed Near Nightclub

A U.S. tourist died after a gunman attacked a nightclub in the tourist area of Ambergris Caye Island in the Central American country of Belize on December 30. This was confirmed by the U.S. Embassy in Belize on Sunday.

According to local Louisiana outlet  WAFB-9 , the victim was identified as 23-year-old J'Bria Michelle Bowens of Indianapolis, Indiana. She was a nursing student studying at Louisiana State University.

Bowens lost her life after a gunman opened fire outside Jaguar's Night Club in Ambergris Caye, Belize. The victim does not appear to be the target of the attack, as the gunman fired indiscriminately with an assault-style rifle, according to local authorities.

No other injuries have been reported following the attack.

Two Suspects Arrested in Connection to Attack That Killed U.S. Tourist in Belize

The investigation is ongoing, but Belize Police Commissioner Chester Williams announced on Saturday that two men have already been arrested in connection to Bowens' killing in Ambergris Caye. The  Associated Press  reported that they have already been charged with murder.

Williams confirmed that the gunman intended to kill a local gang leader. Bowens was just caught in the line of fire between two warring local factions on the island. It was reported that these gangs were rival drug gangs fighting over territory. Police are now seeking the intended target of the attack for questioning as well.

READ MORE:  Mexico: 5 Dead After Gunmen Indiscriminately Sprayed Bullets at a Popular Acapulco Bar

According to  Crisis 24 , the incident highlights the threat of gang-related violence within Belize. While the capital, Belize City, is already plagued with gang violence, there are areas, including San Pedro, where Ambergris Caye Island is located, that are deemed safe from such clashes.

However, this puts San Pedro's safety into question now that an American tourist has been killed in the area.

The U.S. Embassy in Belize stated they are now closely monitoring the local investigation. The country is currently listed as a Level 2 Travel Advisory. This means that the United States government is urging "increased caution" due to high levels of violent crime.

U.S. Tourist J'Bria Michelle Bowens Only Celebrating a Birthday When She Was Gunned Down in Belize

Reports stated that Bowens was in Belize with several family members to celebrate a birthday. They decided to spend it in one of the country's most touristy destinations, Ambergris Caye Island.

However, disaster struck after a gunman arrived outside Jaguar's Night Club in San Pedro's Central Park and started spraying bullets. She was rushed to Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II but was pronounced dead on arrival.

In June 2019, another American tourist was fatally shot in the area of Ambergris Caye. Virginia cardiologist Dr. Gary Swank was shot and killed as part of a double murder. A local fishing tour guide named Mario Graniel was the intended target. Like Bowens, Swank was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.

READ MORE: American Tourist Mysterious Death in Mexico: Police Says Shanquella Robinson Still Alive for Hours After Medics Arrived

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Written by: Rick Martin

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Tags belize , U.S. tourist , Ambergris Caye

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Tourist from Chicago murdered in Belize; Anne Swaney worked website at ABC7 Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) -- One of our ABC7 Chicago colleagues was found murdered Friday while traveling in Belize, according to police in the Central American nation and the U.S. State Department.

Anne Swaney was executive producer of online operations at abc7chicago.com. She was 39. Autopsy results determined that she was strangled.

Anne was an avid world traveler and on a vacation in the Cayo District of western Belize, a popular destination for American adventure travelers and horse enthusiasts. She was staying at the Nabitunich Farm near a tiny town called San Jose Succotz. Hotel owner Santiago Juan tells the I-Team she was killed on "public land" near the hotel. Juan reported her missing Thursday afternoon.

RAW VIDEO: Police chief speaks about Anne Swaney's murder in Belize

On Thursday morning, Anne was supposed to go on a group horseback trip through the woods, but there were more riders than horses, so she stayed back. She came down to a wooden deck on the river to do yoga and never returned.

"A horse riding tour returned in the afternoon and found her personal effects on the deck. This looked suspicious so they went to her cabin and she wasn't there. They told the owner who called the police. The police came with their canine unit and the scent led them along the river but due to the darkness the search was called off for the night before finding her," Supt. Arzu told the I-Team.

Police teams resumed searching Friday morning, when her body was found face down in the river. Police said there were obvious signs someone had killed her.

"Her neck and either side of her head had laceration and that led us to believe it was a case of murder," Supt. Arzu said.

Authorities said Anne was taken to San Ignacio Hospital in Belize and was pronounced dead. Autopsy results released Saturday concluded the cause of death was manual strangulation as well as blunt force injuries to her head and neck.

"We offer our sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones on their loss," a state department spokesman in Washington said.

Investigators said Friday that they were questioning a man who was seen fishing near the crime scene but that he was not considered a prime suspect at this time. The man, a Guatemalan national, maintains he was just fishing and was not involved in her death, police said.

News of Anne's death brought tears at ABC7, where she was being remembered as a newsroom leader with a penchant for detail and a passion for getting facts straight.

"She was a trailblazer in the digital news space and was one of our first website employees," said John H. Idler, president and general manager of ABC7. "Anne helped us evolve our business and our newsroom, but most importantly, she was a kind person who was always had a smile and a positive attitude."

A local reporter in Belize said Anne's death is quite an embarrassment to the nation.

"Because it is on the fringes of our border with our neighbor in Guatemala it also provides another element that the police have to investigate. Where if the perpetrator came across the border, they will have a difficult time they will have to liaise with their counterparts in Guatemala," said Daniel Ortiz, NEWSBELIZE.

There is not a nationwide tourist advisory in effect for Belize. However, tourists are told to exercise a high degree of caution due to an increasing rate of violent crime throughout the country. In that specific "Cayo District," armed robberies occasionally occur near the western border with Guatemala, especially near Caracol to the south.

Police say criminal activity, including armed robbery, mugging and sexual assault, is a significant problem throughout Belize. Robberies and assaults have been reported in resort areas. There has been a noted increase in violent crime targeting tourists since the end of 2013. Criminals often operate in groups and target persons traveling alone.

Cases of sexual assault against female travelers have also be been reported in that district.

Drug-related crimes are also on the uptick. The transit of drugs, particularly cocaine and precursor chemicals for methamphetamine, has risen. Belize was included on the FY12, 13 and 14 U.S. Majors List of illegal narcotic producing and/or transit countries.

In January 2014, two American citizens were kidnapped at gunpoint from a resort area near the western border with Guatemala.

A Canadian filmmaker was killed in January 2015 to the south of the district.

In May 2015, two American men were murdered in a suspected drug-related armed robbery. An 18-year old suspect was charged.

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Remembering our ABC7 colleague Anne Swaney

Police chief speaks about Anne Swaney's murder in Belize

Anne Elizabeth McComb Swaney: 1976 - 2016

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US divers die in separate Belize incidents

• on May 11, 2022

Early May saw the deaths of two 60-something American divers in the popular waters off Belize.

On Friday 6 May, 62-year-old Celeste Lee Bondurant Bell was out on a night dive over the Belize barrier reef with her husband, other tourist divers and several guides. She failed to resurface, and minutes later was seen floating.

She was rushed to Caye Caulker Polyclinic, where CPR was performed without success. She was pronounced dead at 8.05pm.

Then on Sunday 8 May, 64-year-old Michael Williams Coli was on a dive trip to Turneffe Atoll aboard the Belize Aggressor IV liveaboard when he failed to return to the surface after a dive. He was subsequently rescued from the water and CPR was administered, to no avail. He was rushed to the mainland and pronounced dead at 11.46am.

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Get the Latest Stats on the Tourism Industry in Belize.

Tourism Statistics provides key information and insights on the performance of the industry to the Belize Tourism Board and stakeholders. The usage of these statistics facilitates decision making, and strategy and policy formation. Now more than ever, it is important to keep track of tourism data and trends to aid in the recovery of tourism from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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​Belize investigates killing of American tourist

January 15, 2016 / 10:24 PM EST / CBS/AP

BELIZE CITY, Belize -- Belizean authorities are investigating the suspicious death of an American tourist who was vacationing in the town of Benque Viejo del Carmen on the Belize-Guatemala border.

Police say 39-year-old Anne Swaney was a guest at the Nabitunich resort in the Cayo district when she was reported missing Thursday.

CBS affiliate WBBM reported Swaney worked as the executive producer of online operations for ABC 7 in Chicago.

Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu says that members of a tour group that Swaney should have been part of returned to the resort and couldn't find her.

Swaney's belongings were found on a deck by the riverside where she had gone to do yoga exercises.

Her body was located Friday morning, though Arzu did not say where. Injuries to her head and bruises around the neck have authorities treating the death as a homicide.

Police found Swaney's half-naked body face-down in the river, Arzu told WBBM. She had bruises on her neck, and lacerations on both sides of her head, indicating she might have been strangled.

"That led us to believe that she was murdered," he said. "We also suspect that she might have been sexually violated."

WBBM spoke with colleagues at the ABC station, where Swaney was being remembered as a newsroom leader with a passion for getting it right.

"Anne was one of those folks, she made everybody around her better. She made everybody around her smile. She was a fierce advocate for getting things right, and a fierce advocate for this news business," ABC 7 general manager John Idler said.

WBBM reporter Brad Edwards was one of the many friends Swaney had at the CBS station.

"Northwestern grad, smart superstar alum, talented, big title, but everyone loved her. She was just effervescent," Edwards described.

Arzu said police do not consider the area around the resort to be dangerous, and believe at this time it likely was a random crime.

"We have not had any records in that particular area that our locals may have involved in any sort of crime within that area. We consider that area to be a peaceful area," he said.

However, he did say the area is heavily trafficked by Guatemalans who enter the country illegally to sell illegal drugs or contraband.

"We will be looking at all leads, and we will be open in terms of our area of investigation, but as it is so far, we have no suspects," Arzu said.

Authorities were awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of Swaney's death.

WBBM reported there was a nationwide tourist advisory in Belize due to an increase in robbery, mugging, and rape in that country.

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Breaking news, texas woman dies in belize after being hit with conch shell during brawl with bar employees over hubby’s golf cart crash.

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A Texas woman living in Belize has died after being hit in the head by a conch shell during a fight that broke out when her husband crashed their golf cart into a bar in the Caribbean country, officials said.

Jennifer Lynn Griffith, 46, was riding with husband Maynor Rene Ancona, 41, who was driving Saturday morning in San Pedro, a town in Ambergis Caye that Madonna made famous with “Las Isla Bonita,” Channel 5 Belize reported .

He crashed the cart into the El Norte Bar, leading to a fight between the couple and the booze joint’s employees, police Commissioner Chester Williams told the news outlet.

At one point during the brawl, someone threw a conch shell at Griffith, striking her in the head, according to the top cop, who said she suffered a concussion.

“She went to the polyclinic with the police and she refused medical treatment and self-discharged herself from the clinic and went home,” Williams said.  

“The next morning, she seemingly was having pain and she went back to the clinic where she succumbed [to her death],” he said. “At this time, we are not able to say what the cause of death is — if she died as a result of the conch shell or as a result of the accident.”

An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of death, Williams said, adding that it was not immediately clear if alcohol was involved in the incident.

When asked whether a bar employee had thrown the conch shell, he said he was unsure, but added that it was “one of the persons involved in the brawl.”

Williams also said that after Griffith left the San Pedro Polyclinic, “she had indicated to the police that she didn’t want anything against those individuals.”

Police have reportedly detained several people, who will “at the very least” be charged with disorderly conduct, according to the news outlet.

Griffith was originally from Texas and had been living on Ambergis Caye for several years, local news outlet lovefm.com reported .

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Update on recent tourist deaths on Ambergris Caye

Snorkeling Tragedy Update

American national 54 year old Roger Burger and Italian national Zyihe Florencia both lost their lives that day due to the tragic events. Post mortems were conducted on the bodies on Wednesday April 4th at 1PM where the causes of death were listed as Asphyxia due to drowning.

According to Ms. Sherlet Martinez, Operations Manager for Port Authority; the Port Authority’s initial report indicated that the vessel was undermanned, having only one crew member onboard. This contradicts the Port Authority’s policy requiring that a minimum of two crew members be onboard every water vessel. As a result, the vessel was in violation of Port Authority Laws. Martinez reported that once the report is completed, it will be submitted to the prosecution section where an investigation into further violations of the Port Act will be ascertained. Where there is a clear violation, the boat captain will be taken to court.

While the Meteorological Office of Belize issues daily weather warnings, it appears that the decision on whether or not tides and conditions are safe enough to take tourists out to sea falls on the Tour Operators.

According to the San Pedro Police, information is being compiled into a file which will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), where it will be reviewed and a decision will be made as to whether charges will be levied.

The Belize Tourism Board is working in collaboration with the Tourism Police Unit to get to the bottom of the matter, however the investigations into the circumstances that led to the fatalities are still ongoing, after which a release will be made.

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