Murder in Urubó investigated as settling of scores: five suspects in two vehicles
The Public Prosecutor's Office in Santa Cruz is investigating as a settling of scores the death of José Luis Bravo Moreno, alias 'El Hormiga', found with four bullet wounds in the Urubó area.
'El Hormiga' shot dead in Urubó: cameras capture five men in two vehicles
People from the close circle of José Luis Bravo Moreno, aged 50, known by the alias 'El Hormiga', were summoned as witnesses before the Public Prosecutor's Office following his murder which occurred on the night of 3 September in the Urubó area, municipality of Porongo. According to El Deber, the prosecutor assigned to the case, Franz Delgadillo, indicated that the statements form part of the initial proceedings to establish the circumstances of the crime.
"People have been brought in as witnesses from within the victim's circle, which is why their statements will be taken," Delgadillo said.
The main hypothesis being pursued by investigators is a possible settling of scores, although the prosecutor clarified that other lines of inquiry are not being ruled out whilst ballistics examinations proceed. "Among the examinations being conducted it would be a settling of scores and we are not ruling out another possibility," he explained.
Five people descended from two vehicles before the attack
A central element in reconstructing the crime is the footage from security cameras installed in the area. According to Delgadillo, the images recorded the arrival of five people in two vehicles, who allegedly confronted Bravo before the attack took place.
"The security cameras have captured five people descending from two vehicles who would have confronted this person in order to take his life," the prosecutor stated.
Investigators are working to identify the occupants of both vehicles and to reconstruct their movements before and after the murder.
Four bullet impacts and more than Bs 6,000 found next to the body
Bravo was found dead inside a grey Toyota Fortuner pick-up truck in the vicinity of Villa Bonita. The forensic medical report determined that he received four bullet impacts; the autopsy established the cause of death as hypovolemic haemorrhagic shock, along with abdominal injuries caused by firearm projectiles.
At the scene, the Police collected shell casings and a magazine, items that will be subjected to examination to determine the characteristics of the attack. Among the victim's belongings, more than Bs 6,000 were found adhered to his body, according to the police report.
Criminal record for drug trafficking and other offences
Intelligence reports cited by the Police indicate that Bravo had a criminal record for trafficking in controlled substances, in addition to others related to aggravated robbery, domestic violence and dangerous driving. These antecedents form part of the context that investigators are analysing to establish the possible motive for the crime, although at present there is no definitive conclusion.
Delgadillo reported that in the coming hours further examinations will be conducted and statements will continue to be taken from people who may provide information about the victim's final movements. The Public Prosecutor's Office and the Police are seeking to determine who organised the encounter, who shot Bravo and what happened to the five men who, according to the cameras, left the scene in two vehicles following the attack.
Source: El Deber