7th Day Adventists mourn slain Deacon Teddy Murillo
Posted: 05/03/2010 - 03:25 PM
Author: Stacey Kelly
In what is probably a first for Belize for any christian denomination, the Belize Union of Seventh Day Adventists yesterday issued a press release declaring that “with more than 34,000 members and 25 schools countrywide, we will close our doors tomorrow, Friday, March 5, to express our indignation at the brutal and senseless murder of one of our young members, Teddy Roland Murillo, Jr., last Saturday morning, February 27, 2010.”
The Adventists were not afraid to speak firmly, and pointedly: “As a church, driven by Jesus’ command to go into the world to teach, preach and baptize, we endeavour to call people to repentance and in so doing, we create safer environment for our citizens. Yet the ongoing murders (some from the very same persons who ought to be protecting us) have instilled fear and chaos in citizens and visitors alike.
“Unfortunately, our beautiful jewel is quickly becoming a lawless country where innocent ones pay with their lives at the hands of those who have no regard for their fellowmen.”
Teddy, 21, was a deacon in the church, and his murder has caused anger in his congregation: “Our church laments, yet mourns with the Murillo family at the loss of their loved one; nonetheless we take this opportunity to call on the Government to ensure that justice is served and that proactive measures be instituted to restore law and order in our nation.”
On the morning of Saturday, February 27, 2010, at about 1:30 in the morning, Teddy was walking on Waight Street when he was approached by an unidentified vehicle. Shots were fired from the vehicle, and Teddy was shot five times, three times in the lower part of his back, once in his right buttocks and once in his right elbow.
Teddy died on the spot.
On Tuesday, March 2, Dr. Mario Estradabran conducted a post-mortem on his body, and certified the cause of death to be, “Cardiac Tamponade Syndrome” due to heart injury as a consequence of multiple gunshot wounds to the body.
Teddy Murillo will be laid to rest on Sunday, March 7.
With regards to the recent decision to close the Adventist schools countrywide, a member of the congregation told us tonight that “It’s a very profound statement for our church to make, in light of the fact that throughout the history of the church, it has not been known to publicly participate in protests or strikes. Unfortunately, these circumstances had to hit home for us to take a united and proactive stand, especially given the accusations surrounding this tragic loss. We are a close-knit community. We just want justice.”
Today, Thursday, Amandala visited Mrs Danalyn Murillo, Teddy’s mother, who expressed her sentiments with regards to the witnesses, who, even with their compelling and consistent testimonies, seem to lack trust in our Police Department, and the justice system in general, to speak out against the alleged murderer.
“Living in the southside, I understand,” said Mrs. Murillo. “I first call on the leaders of the Government and the Police Department to start the change… we need to take back our community,” Mrs. Murillo noted. “I have been given information by witnesses and high ranking policemen alike; however, everyone is afraid to speak out.”
(Correction: with reference to the Amandala front page story, issue #2407 dated March 3, 2010, “Did a police man kill Teddy Murillo?” On page 2 – the time is 3:15 a.m., and not 3:15 p.m.
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