BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC) – The Belize government has described as “senseless” the shootings at a nightclub over the last weekend that left two people dead and several others, including three police officers, injured.

Police said that the shootings occurred at a nightclub in Hopkins Village, in southern Belize with the government further describing the situation as “tragic and unconscionable.”

“The Government of Belize grieves with the families of those whose lives were lost as a result of this indiscriminate shooting that left two persons dead and eight injured, including three police officers. The Government condemns, in the strongest terms, the senseless violence and calls on the Belize Police Department to leave no stone unturned in arresting and charging the perpetrators,” the statement said.

“As a government and nation, we must collectively address the increasing levels of gun violence and institute stricter firearm laws to keep our neighbourhoods safe and free from gun violence,” it added.

Police have identified the victims as 23-year-old Noah Moro and 56-year-old Honduran, Emilio Garcia.

The Belize Police Department said three gunmen kicked open the nightclub’s doors around 1 am and began shooting at patrons. They later escaped in a waiting vehicle.

The police have issued wanted bulletins for 28-year-old Brian Andrew, Kenyon Moore, 28, and 35-year-old Sherwin Moore in connection with the shooting.