Posted on 06/26/2019 5:14:57 AM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin
A Virginia doctor on vacation with his wife and three children was reportedly murdered on Sunday while fly fishing in Belize.
Dr. Gary Swank, a cardiologist from Roanoke, Va., and his tour guide were shot and killed while fly-fishing in a lagoon west of San Pedro Town, according to local media reports. Both men were reportedly shot multiple times in the body and head.
San Pedro police believe the tour guide, Mario Graniel, 53, was the intended target of the gunmen, according to The Reporter. Graniel had previously called the authorities to his home on Saturday after an unknown gunman fired shots outside his apartment complex.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
It’s why I won’t go to Chicago....
Oh wait, that’s still in America....
So many nice places to visit in the US.
I guess they mean "like Jamaica".
Is this a one-off or have you identified a pattern of American tourists being shot in Belize?
No kidding. I have no urge to go anywhere outside the USA. No matter where you live in the USA, within a one day's drive of that locale, there are enough sights, and people, and restaurants, and things to do which even in ten lifetimes you couldn't see or do it all.
It may not be Americans but cardiologists.
I was in Belize two weeks ago, not far from where this happened. Yikes.
Honestly, the people of Belize take a great amount of pride in being the only ENGLISH FIRST country in Central and South America and I don't think I could've been treated any better than I was.
I do agree with you: it seems like it's open season on American's everywhere........
Got a relative in the med school where this doctor was an associate professor - he’s interested most in cardiology & I’m betting he knew the guy. Just horrible. Someone highly trained/skillful and all of that talent and ability to help people is lost, not to mention the loss to family/friends. Never take life for granted - it can end unexpectedly at any time.
Fly fishing is a dangerous sport.
Maybe he was on his way to the Dominican Republic.
I was in Belize on a cruise stop almost 20 years ago, while I’d been seeing commercials at home telling me to retire in Belize.
Visited the ancient constructions now bulldozed, noticed occupied houses tilted at crazy angles, shoeless children walking home from school, and “downtown”.
Downtown had a giant fence around it. All houses inside were level, and many kiosks were about the perimeter
selling crap to tourists.
The tall brick Western Union building had two guards with automatic rifles standing outside.
Once was enough. I can’t believe it’s improved.
“Fly fishing is a dangerous sport.”
Don’t bring a fishing pole to a gunfight.
Americans make a lot of assumptions about the peacefulness of the citizenry and the generally good state of policing. These assumptions are true, with a few notable exceptions, throughout the United States. However, when you venture out of the country, especially if you are going beyond Western Europe, you cannot make any of these assumptions.
You have to be responsible for your own safety at all times. You cannot make assumptions about the quality and quantity of police protection, because you have no knowledge.
If you are going out into the countryside, you need to keep a very low profile or go with protection that comes from a large group.
People want to make these personal connections when they travel. Meet the locals, share their stories, etc. They should be really careful about this.
That's what I like about FR. Somebody's always thinking. ;o)
This man hates cans...
and you still see foreigners! Hear the language, smell the smells. same difference.
Visit Belize-get shot. Visit Dominican Republic-get poisoned. Take a Caribbean cruise-get the scoots. Sorry. Stayin’ here in the Ozarks.
No it’s not.
CC
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