Man shot in Belize was Toronto father of three
Gabriel Bochnia, 38, was killed in front of his family Wednesday night
A Canadian man who was shot and killed in Corozal, Belize, on Wednesday was a Toronto father of three.
Police spokesperson Raphael Martinez said Gabriel Bochnia was shot Wednesday night as he and his wife and their three children were returning to their home in the Chula Vista area of Corozal, 135 kilometres north of Belize City, near Mexico.
Martinez said as Bochnia, 38, got out of his vehicle to open the gate, a man with a rag over his face came from behind the bushes and shot him in the abdomen.
Bochina died of his injuries in hospital.
Martinez said Bochnia’s wife, 27year-old Jeshanah Maritza Zetina, and the children were not injured and the attacker fled the scene.
His sister Kate announced his death on Thursday from her Facebook page.
“Gabriel, You have been an angel on earth and you are our angel in Heaven,” she wrote.
“Rest in peace my baby brother . . . Now spread your wings.”
Martinez could not say how long Bochnia had lived in Belize, adding that the investigation is in its early stages.
“They’re doing the normal police work trying to identify who was last seen in the area,” Martinez told the Star Friday evening. He said police continue to look for witnesses to come forward.
Bochnia’s Facebook page says he attended Michael Power/St. Joseph High School in Etobicoke. He appears to have participated in community basketball in Corozal, with several people posting about his sportsmanship.
“Lost a great bro and really good friend. Now you gonna pull up for 3s up in heaven,” one friend with the Facebook name “Lal Hotch” posted.