By Breaking Belize News Staff: Social media influencer and marketing consultant Benjamin Eduardo Garcia, 27, escaped a prison sentence on Tuesday after pleading guilty to discharging a firearm in public following a shooting incident outside Social Lounge on the Philip Goldson Highway over the weekend.
Garcia, a resident of Belama Phase 2, was fined $3,000 plus $5 in court costs following proceedings in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. He has until November 30, 2026, to pay the fine or face two years in prison.
His co-accused, 36-year-old Mexican businessman Sergio Martinez Ramirez, walked free after the prosecution withdrew the charge against him. Ramirez maintained that he was innocent and had simply found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Both men were represented by prominent attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley, who told the court that Garcia was a first-time offender who had cooperated with police and admitted responsibility for discharging his licensed firearm.
In imposing the fine, the magistrate considered Garcia’s early guilty plea, his lack of previous convictions for a similar offence, and the fact that the firearm was legally licensed.
Garcia was also required to settle an outstanding court fine of $560 before leaving the courthouse, which he paid.
The charges stemmed from an incident around 1:35 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, when police conducting checks at Social Lounge observed a grey Ford F-250 pickup leaving the compound. According to the facts presented in court, a police officer witnessed the front passenger window being lowered before a black object was extended outside. The officer reported seeing sparks coming from the object, followed by four loud bangs consistent with gunshots. The area was illuminated by streetlights, allowing the officer to identify the same pickup that had just left the establishment.
Police pursued the vehicle and intercepted it near the Pallotti roundabout. Garcia subsequently disclosed that he possessed a licensed 9mm pistol, which officers recovered along with 12 live rounds. Four expended shells were also recovered from the shooting scene.
As previously reported by Breaking Belize News, both men were formally charged on Sunday following conflicting reports about Garcia’s detention and possible release.
Outside court, Martinez Ramirez described himself as an honest businessman who had been caught up in an unfortunate situation, reiterating that he had no involvement in the shooting.
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