SANTA ELENA, September 6, 2025 — A community cleanup in Santa Elena ended in tragedy Friday morning when 20-year-old Dominique Robateau, a San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council employee, was shot while carrying out his duties.
Robateau, a young council worker assigned to a municipal cleanup crew, had been clearing an overgrown alley in the Santa Cruz area. Residents had requested the work, citing blocked utility access and safety concerns tied to the neglected lot.
Shooting During Routine Work
According to initial reports, Robateau and his colleagues began the cleanup around 11:00 a.m. on September 5. As Robateau was chopping grass near a zinc fence, shots rang out from the other side. One bullet struck him, while another grazed the pants of a nearby co-worker.
Authorities later confirmed that Robateau had been cautioned in the past about working in that location, though the reasons for those warnings remain unclear. Investigators are now examining whether the lot may have been linked to criminal activity.
Possible Criminal Connection
Unofficial accounts suggest the overgrown property might have been used as a stash site for illicit goods, raising suspicions that the cleanup inadvertently disrupted underground operations.
Mayor Trapp Responds
Mayor Earl Trapp said the work had been scheduled in direct response to resident complaints and stressed that municipal workers often face difficult conditions.
“This incident underscores the dangers our crews encounter every day,” Trapp said. “Our immediate concern is the safety of our staff and the community at large.”
Investigation Underway
Police and forensic teams quickly secured the scene, but no suspects have yet been identified. Authorities have not announced any arrests.
The shooting left residents of Santa Cruz shaken and angry. Many voiced frustration that individuals working to improve the neighborhood were met with violence.
Community leaders are now pressing for stronger protections for town council employees, including closer coordination between law enforcement and municipal crews when work is carried out in high-risk zones.
Community Shock and Safety Concerns
The attack on Dominique Robateau has reignited debate over public safety in Belize’s Twin Towns, where residents say unchecked gun violence continues to endanger both workers and ordinary citizens.
Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward as the investigation intensifies.
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