QUITO, July 23 (Reuters) – The mayor of the Ecuadorian Pacific port city of Manta, Agustin Intriago, was shot lifeless on Sunday, authorities mentioned, in a brazen attack that surprised the political institution.
Police mentioned the 38-year-old Intriago, who was re-elected as mayor of Manta in February, had been inspecting public works in the city on the time of the attack.
Regional police commander Edwin Noguera informed reporters a gunman bought out of a stolen truck and opened fireplace on Intriago, hitting him and a girl described as a “collateral victim.” Both died of their accidents.
Security officers with the mayor returned fireplace and wounded the driving force of the car, who’s now in police custody whereas receiving medical consideration in hospital. Noguera mentioned the person was a Venezuelan nationwide with no prior legal document.
The suspected shooter escaped, Noguera mentioned.
Police mentioned officers had discovered a grenade in the truck and a gun which was possible used in the attack.
It was not instantly clear why the mayor had been attacked, although police mentioned that he had reported receiving threats to authorities, with out offering extra particulars.
Ecuador has confronted a rise in violent crime that the federal government says is pushed by energy struggles between legal gangs over the drug trafficking commerce.
Manta, a city of properly over 200,000 folks, has been prey to such gangs, whereas widespread widespread crime fed by financial and social issues is including to the nation’s safety woes.
President Guillermo Lasso expressed his sorrow over Intriago’s “assassination” in an announcement on Twitter and mentioned he had ordered authorities to deliver the killers to justice.
Former President Rafael Correa expressed his shock, saying on Twitter: “I can’t believe this has happened.”
In May, gunmen focused the mayor of the city of Duran. He emerged unscathed from the attack however a policeman was killed and several other different folks have been wounded, media reported.
Intriago belonged to an area political social gathering in Manta.
Earlier, authorities mentioned six folks have been killed on the weekend and 11 extra injured in the most recent outbreak of gang-fueled violence roiling Ecuador’s prisons.
Reporting by Alexandra Valencia; enhancing by Diane Craft, Sonali Paul, Chris Reese and Michael Perry
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