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bobbyveee
  7/6/2018 09:07 EST

A dear friend of ours was shot in the head as he walked down the steps of his home, his wife Linda was a member of the San Pedro Art group, this is tragic .
He's critically ill in hospital in Belize city, prayers for him.

CayeCaulker4Me
  7/6/2018 10:43 EST

That is terrible news!

My thoughts and parayers are with him and his family as they go through this difficult time.

Thank You for bringing this to our attention Bobby.

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ditalian
  7/6/2018 11:35 EST

From the news, it appears it was not random. Someone knew about the guns, and "a briefcase with cash".
Then a "jetski escape"? Not your typical Belize-style assault...

bobbyveee
  7/6/2018 11:50 EST

Latest. Cliff is still comatose and is on his way medivac to Baltimore. The house is very nice and maybe someone in the know passed on info to these thugs. Linda his wife was an army nurse, so hes in good hands. So damn sad, delightful couple.

CayeCaulker4Me
  7/6/2018 12:26 EST

So very sad, no matter the circumstances. Glad to hear he is on his way to receiving the Top Notch medical attention he requires.

Bobby makes a good point (terrible it had to be under these circumstances) about the "need" for Medical Evacuation Insurance if you are seriously considering living for any stretch of time (1-2 weeks or longer) in a third world/underdeveloped country. Here in Belize, it is the only insurance one needs.

There are varying levels of coverage and It is relatively inexpensive, for what you get in the unlikely, and unfortunate, event you find you need to use it. We took it out for our 2 week exploratory visit and also an annual plan when we moved here. You never know when an accident, or worse, might occur where you require medical attention at a level not readily available where you are. The "need" is not limited to the country of Belize!

bobbyveee
  7/6/2018 12:29 EST

Just heard two friends of ours and the Kirks were fishing in the vicinity, they saw the two jet skis but thought nothing of it , awhile later saw two policemen waving furiously on the shoreline, went over and were told what happened and could they give them a lift over to the Kirk's island.
Linda often told us she felt they were being watched, hence their guns, by the way this happened around 11.30am in broad daylight

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bobbyveee
  7/6/2018 12:59 EST

Yep CC medivac is what we had on AC, it really is pretty reasonable and the safest way to go and it covered us anywhere in the Caribbean it was done thro our scuba diving association.

bobbyveee
  7/6/2018 13:58 EST

Just had another update, the jet skis are thought to have been rented, so someone knows who these thugs are.
Linda and Cliff had been trying to sell there home for yrs, just heard they had sold were were relocating to our neck of the woods Florida, do hope 1 Cliff recovers and 2 hes not brain damaged. Wow, life does throw a curve ball every now and then.

mgammo
  7/6/2018 15:14 EST

How awful..Was it a random thing? Praying for him!

mgammo
  7/6/2018 15:15 EST

SCARY...Hope he gets better...

Fairytales
  7/7/2018 15:45 EST

I am so sorry for your friend Bobby. Chances are, if he's being flown here, he's going to John Hopkins of U of M Shock Trama.... both are excellent hospitals.

I awoke in Hopkins out of a coma after being given antivenin at another hospital back in the 60's when I was bitten by an unknown snake.

Best of luck to your friend,

jeff

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bobbyveee
  7/7/2018 17:13 EST

Thx Jeff, they were /are moving to Florida just 90 mins across Fl. I do hope they make it, so look forward to seeing them again. Wonderful people.

mgammo
  7/7/2018 17:51 EST

I pray that guy recovers....

bobbyveee
  7/7/2018 17:59 EST

He's in a great hospital , just worry if/ what brain damage he received. So hope those thugs are caught, but Belize police with their limited resources dont have much luck and give up pretty soon.

bradinbelize
  7/7/2018 20:37 EST

Bobby / Others,

Here's an update from Facebook. Everyone here on the island is concerned and praying for Cliff.

Posts from Friends
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John K Wasson
7 hours ago ·
Cliff and Linda made it safely to John Hopkins Hospital at 4:00 AM this morning. He is receiving world class care. Linda has friends and family with her. Keep praying!
16 Comments1 Share
63Er L Park, Britney Travis and 61 others

John K Wasson
22 hours ago ·
...Colonel Clifford Kirk was transported to Goldson International Airport to be airlifted to John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore Maryland. He will be accompanied by his wife Linda Kirk who retired as a Ful...
'At 7:30 PM this evening retired Lt. Colonel Clifford Kirk was transported to Goldson International Airport to be airlifted to John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore Maryland. He will be accompanied by his wife Linda Kirk who retired as a Full Colonel from the US Army before moving to Belize.
Cliff is stable but is in critical condition. Please keep Cliff and Linda in your thoughts and prayers. Those of us who have the privilege of knowing
this remarkable couple can attest to how much they contributed to our community. Like so many in San Pedro, Cliff and Linda are more than just friends, they are family. ?
Linda will be traveling without a US phone. Please contact me with any questions. I will be making regular updates.'
84 Comments18 Shares

terrific
  7/8/2018 15:54 EST

The Delize Police don't always' just give' up they have suspects in custody for the Murder and arson crime in Belmopan. They apprehended them within a few days. Still do not know if the murder charge will stick as lack of material witnesses, Might only be able to get lesser charges through the courts.

bobbyveee
  7/8/2018 17:46 EST

Terrific , A lot of frightened witnesses , they get visited and threatened, this happens day in day out in Belize, its pathetic.

terrific
  7/8/2018 19:36 EST

Actually My son and I were the nearest thing there was to witnessing that incedent, and we were actually impressed with the Police work. Nearest thing to a threat was a very Miffed reporter from one TV company, when we said we were not going on camera or being recorded and had to be referred to only as Neighbors. The other TV and radio channels all acceeded to those requests and we answered their questions with all the info the police said we could share. At least two reporters already knew my son but did not publish any names.
The first reporter worked out what she thought the story was, after she left our place and the tv news put out her story with very little correct information and some actual wrong information. They did a later following bulletin that had the info all the other companies were reporting It was missing her tag line..

ditalian
  7/9/2018 10:52 EST

Well, looks like at least they caught them...

bobbyveee
  7/9/2018 11:25 EST

Says they caught three , i believe there were 4 , one of them is a 16 yo. Well i just hope theve apprehended the right guys and proper justice can be administered.
I hear Cliff is still critical,

terrific
  7/9/2018 15:35 EST

Ok not going into it here but if you believe there were 4 that is fine please could you contact Belmopan police with the 4th name. Obviously the updates they gave me were wrong.

I am truely sorry about your friend.

bobbyveee
  7/9/2018 15:59 EST

Terrific, the first newspaper report said 4 masked men, so have all the others, dont know whose right or wrong. But atleast theyve got 3 , i just hope Cliff pulls thro and his brain isnt affected .
They were just getting ready to leave Belize and move to Florida

mgammo
  7/9/2018 17:46 EST

Well good! I hope Dickey Bradley prosecutes them and they go off to Hattieville!

terrific
  7/9/2018 18:07 EST

seriously NO MASKED men.
No one saw anyone see message in your in box gives a more informed view. I told you that one reporter made up her own story. she also said a compound of four houses and the man had 2 dogs all incorrect. No report i saw mentioned Masked men. Who was there to see them the house was in the jungle.

terrific
  7/9/2018 18:41 EST

We seem to be convoluting two different crimes, the masked men were reported in the recent san Ped shooting, which had witnesses I was reffering to your statement that only 3 in custody (one a minor) for Belmopan crime last month. There were no actual witnesses to that crime.

bobbyveee
  7/9/2018 18:45 EST

Terrific, the house is on a small island on the lagoon on the east side of AC, so reporters made stuff up, just proves my point about Belize. Cliff and Linda were just like you and your wife in the US medical corps only a lot senior. I just hope just to whoever 3 or 4 persons gets carried out. Fake news looksc as bad as supposed to be in USA , except its probably down to big orange in the white house. LOL

bobbyveee
  7/9/2018 18:57 EST

Terrific, ive never mentioned Belmopan, but SP has 3 in custody , not 4 tghat were supposed to have attacked Cliff, i know NOTHING about Belmopan, think your getting confused. Keep off the hard stuff LOL

terrific
  7/9/2018 19:06 EST

I do wish this forum put replies as threads so a reply comes up under where it is replying to. It appeared as though Bobby was replying to my comment on Police actually catching criminals in a different case entirely, sorry for he mix up.
By the way nothing against Belikin but I dont like beer at all.

terrific
  7/9/2018 19:10 EST

By the way my Wife is none existent but I do have a husband, he RAMC and myself QARANC when we met.

bobbyveee
  7/9/2018 19:14 EST

Sorry, knew you were both military British medics, im ex Royal Engineers and RM. Just got the 2 of you mixed up , apologise, you guys did a great job, i know , been looked after by great QARANC's. IN Aldershot.

CayeCaulker4Me
  7/9/2018 19:31 EST

Whew, Glad we got that squared away, I was beginning to get dizzy trying to follow!

Now, let's all get back to concentrating on sending healing energies, in what ever manner you are accustomed, to Cliff at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. May he recover fully, with no lasting affects.

bobbyveee
  7/10/2018 09:05 EST

Just a follow up that any of you guys on the cayes might be interested in. A lady in SP has set up Triple R , a rescue company to get seriously ill expats back to America, she co ordinates with Charity Air and it was these two companies that got Cliff out and back to Maryland so darn quickly. Absolute life saver ,

bobbyveee
  7/11/2018 07:07 EST

Very sad to hear that Cliff Kirk has passed away . Condolences to Linda and all their families.

mgammo
  7/11/2018 08:40 EST

I am so sorry to hear this..........

CayeCaulker4Me
  7/11/2018 10:13 EST

This is truly sad news.

God Speed Cliff.

Thoughts and Prayers are sent to his family and friends as they go through this difficult time.

Kenubelizeit
  7/11/2018 14:11 EST

This is heartbreaking come to Belize to have a peaceful and safe life and end up losing it. Growing up for a while in San Pedro in the late 80's it is the time for San Pedranos to take back their island. Too many criminal elements have made it their home. Need a sort of militia citizens because not even the police are to be trusted IMO

bobbyveee
  7/11/2018 14:16 EST

You are so right, AC used to be such a lovely peaceful safe caye, thats all gone now. Ive even got friends talking about arming themselves, so very sad.

Fairytales
  7/12/2018 06:53 EST

Bobby,

Although we don't "know" one another, we're all human and I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. I feel for his family who suddenly, has to learn how to struggle forward while they are beyond devastation. Just horrible.

jeff

richmcintyre
  7/13/2018 19:31 EST

So very tragic....... it is, unfortunately, not just AC.
It is the entire country falling apart, being taken over by criminals, filled with kids without hope, corrupt to the bone cops (wait and watch the "prosecution" of that crime) and expats being the easy mark. I read the posts here of people moving to Belize without a bloody clue--or taking taking the "pay no attention to those nasty people bad mouthing this wonderful country" schtick, so popular with many on this board, and shudder. They have NO idea what they are setting themselves up for. I personally know at least 25 people who have Belize bailed in the last decade, 1/3 after horrifying experiences, from Placencia to Cayo to Corozal.

terrific
  7/13/2018 21:01 EST

The one thing I have to agree with Rich here is the number of people moving to a completely different culture with their total "research" being what they find on the internet, and even these forums.
If you go to a foreign country and expect the only accomodation you have to make to live there is getting used to a different currency and climate is stupid beyond belief.
I do not agree all expats are seen as Targets in Belize but if one's first questions are "Where do the expats all live and hang out? How can I get a good job? Where is the nearest big box store? then it seems your commitment to a new cultural experience is somewhat limited, and yes when you get to Belize you will stand out.
Simple things to know, Expats will NOT be able to get a well paying job at all easily however much you believe your past experience makes you think that Belize needs you.
Disparaging Local Belizeans as poorly educated because they do not use a north American curriculum in school is both insulting and wrong. Yes it is an english speaking country but a little effort to try speak even broken spanish in some areas or learn a little creole, may endear you to the local community more than just repeating English slower and louder to an older non english speaking Belizean
Why do people so many people come and then leave? Good question with no single reason.
Some of people do come with the rose colored glasses and are quickly dissaponted, they are the ones that leave soonest,
Some come believing it will be the answer to all their personal problems at home they soon realize it isn't so also leave.
Some still believe they are going to be THE ones that can make a profit out of living in Belize, they are soon dissilusoned and leave often Broke.
Some do no "family" research retire to "Paradise" only to find their grown family at home do not see it the same way and don't want to bring the kids all that way. instead of visiting Disneyland and they return because they miss the family.
Some are fit when they arrive but the as they age Ill health sometimes comes with it and they return for the coverage they need in their home country. Particularly if from a country with proper health care, Well most that are not the US.
Some I am sure do have problems with the levels of crime they read about and are scared off.
The number who leave who have personal experience of Violent crime is actually very low.
Those that decide to live in a foreign country need to lower their expectations that ANY foreign country will be following the rules and norms you are used to and comfortable with. As the incomer YOU have to adapt to Belie Belize does not have to adapt to you.
I love Belize but i do not poses the rose colored glasses. I am in it till they screw down the lid.

belizelenny
  7/14/2018 11:53 EST

Gees.. A few do go, Grand kids, Medical and some just are the same person that left the US for the same reasons. You can usually pick out those that will not stay.

For each one that leaves many times that are coming.

Bad things happen everywhere in this world.

richmcintyre
  7/19/2018 13:25 EST

Terrific, just wanted to compliment you on your post. Well written and appreciated-I suspect our views are not really that far apart.

To refine my point, I certainly agree: not all expats are targets. But it is irrefutable that in a country where incomes are actually decreasing and unemployment is increasing, (and where the options for young people are very limited), that some will turn to crime. And let's face it: expats have the stuff and most Belizians do not. I have friends who, like you, continue to to live in Belize, long after I bailed. One difference: unlike the good old days in the 90's and 00's, they now have security systems and deadbolts on all doors, and most are armed. Most have stories that don't find their way into publications like International Travel.

bobbyveee
  7/19/2018 14:09 EST

The biggest thing we noticed over the years was the increase in crime, my wife used to walk the beach from SP upto our beach front bungalow just before the bridge, without any fear, by the time we left in 2016 even lone ladies on golf carts were getting purses etc snatched and guns had become a way of life, now armed robberies seem commonplace.

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