Two Canadians with ties to Virden, Man., shot dead in Honduras

VIRDEN, Man. – Two men with ties to the southwestern Manitoba community of Virden have been shot and killed in Honduras.

Gerry Beltz says his brother, Wayne, was gunned down Sunday in a small beach community where he had owned a bar and restaurant for the last 20 years.

The victim’s stepson, Rob Beltz, was also killed.

Gerry Beltz says it doesn’t look like robbery was the motive in his brother’s shooting.

He says it appears that the stepson, who worked on the oil rigs in Honduras and was visiting his stepfather, was being targeted.

Both men are to be buried in Honduras.

Wayne Beltz, who was known as Henry, was in his late 50s and Rob was in his late 30s.

Gerry Beltz said he found out about the shootings when he phoned his brother’s cell and a woman who could speak English answered. He thinks she was an employee at the restaurant.

“She said a vehicle pulled up in front of the restaurant and two guys got out with weapons,” he said. “Apparently they walked in and Wayne approached them and was telling them they couldn’t come in with that kind of stuff and they shot him.

“Then they immediately went over and shot the other guy.”