By Brianna Bennett

Copyright greaterbelize

Home Invasion Turns Deadly in Los Lagos

Tonight, a family in Los Lagos is demanding answers after thirty-seven-year-old Marco Miranda was gunned down inside his own home. It happened Thursday night, just before nine. Police say an armed intruder broke in and opened fire, hitting Miranda multiple times. He was rushed to the KHMH, but sadly, he didn’t make it. The shocking attack has left the community on edge and Miranda’s loved ones desperate for justice. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Just before nine on Thursday night, the quiet in Los Lagos was shattered by gunfire. The target was thirty-seven-year-old Marco Miranda. Police say the father of three was at home with his wife when an armed intruder broke in and opened fire. Miranda’s brother, Jose, was among the first to get the heartbreaking news that his sibling had been shot.

Voice of: Jose Miranda, Brother of Deceased

“Yesterday at around minutes after nine. I got a call from one of the neighbors from here that my brother was shot, so I immediately got in my vehicle and drove towards the scene. By the time I made it to the hospital, he was already gone.”

Miranda was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment but would later succumb to his injuries less than an hour after he was shot. The family is baffled as to why he was targeted and has no idea who could be responsible.

Voice of: Jose Miranda

“So far no.  We have no idea why someone would target him. It was not a robbery, I guess it was not taken from the house. He had no conflict with anyone. Nothing that we could figure out. He was loved by everyone that knew him. He was a very charming person, and he was a very down-to-earth person as well. So he was loved by everybody that was around. In all the years I’ve never seen anyone actually dislike him.”

Miranda had worked as a gas station manager for over fifteen years and aspired to own his own business one day. The loss has devastated Miranda’s wife and parents, who now face the heartbreaking task of telling his children their father isn’t coming home.

Voice of: Jose Miranda

“He was a great father. He has three kids, has one boy and two girls, the youngest one being four years. But he was a very good father. He was very attentive to his family. He went the extra mile and above for his family.”

Marco and his two brothers grew up in Yo Creek, Orange Walk. Jose Miranda fondly remembers the childhood moments shared with his small family.

Voice of: Jose Miranda

“We grew up very tough. We were boys, so we had that being taught to us. And it was very funny growing up and we grew up at a village. We didn’t grow up in the city or from the areas we are originally from Yo Creek Village, Orange Walk. And there life is very peaceful. It’s totally different than what you would come by here in Belize City.”

According to Miranda, his brother was slowly but surely working towards his goals and was at the peak of his career when he died. He hopes that justice can be delivered swiftly for the unnecessary death of his sibling.

Voice of: Jose Miranda

“Definity we’re  seeking for justice because, this gross murder has to come to justice. It’s not fair on anyone. My parents are devastated. We are all devastated. He has three kids that we don’t know what to tell him. They’re not gonna have a father anymore. He left a wife behind. I left a lot of friends behind. Everybody’s still puzzled on what happened, so we are seeking for justice.”

As family and friends grieve the loss of Marco Miranda, Los Lagos residents are demanding that peace be restored to their community. Britney Gordon for News Five.