Two murders in La Granja and Santiago: Colombian killed in attack from moving vehicle
Two homicides and the discovery of a criminal gang disguised as police marked the early morning of 18 September in the Metropolitan Region.
Day with two homicides and criminal gang discovered in the Metropolitan Region
According to biobiochile.cl, the early morning of 18 September left two men dead in communes of the Metropolitan Region and the discovery of a dwelling used by an alleged criminal gang that operated wearing uniforms similar to those of the police forces.
Murder in La Granja: 15 shots after fight in public space
The first homicide occurred in the commune of La Granja, in the sector known as Pasaje 6. The victim was a 52-year-old man who was conversing with other people in a public space when a discussion broke out. One of those involved drew a firearm and fired at least 15 times. The man sustained an impact to the chest and died whilst being transported to La Florida Hospital.
Three people reportedly participated in the attack, although only one fired the shots before fleeing the scene. The Homicides Brigade of the Police Investigation Service and the Organised Crime and Homicides Prosecution Team (ECOH) intervened in the case.
ECOH prosecutor Ignacio Rivera indicated that "at the scene of the incident there are approximately 15 shots and shell casings", and that the victim "during the course of the day had been spending time with other neighbours" before the altercation. Rivera added that the reasons for the conflict must still be clarified and that the testimony of those who were present will be key to the investigation. According to the prosecutor, the victim was known in the neighbourhood because he taught football classes to minors in the area.
Colombian citizen shot dead on Calle San Diego
The second homicide was recorded in the commune of Santiago, in the Calle San Diego sector, between Ñuble and General Gana. The victim was a Colombian citizen of approximately 40 years of age who was inside his own vehicle when occupants of another moving automobile opened fire on him.
Gravely wounded, the man attempted to drive forward a few metres in his vehicle, but died from the severity of his injuries. The perpetrators fled. The authorities began collecting security camera footage from the sector to determine, among other background information, whether the victim resided in the area.
Inspector Roberto Soto, from the Centre-North Homicides Brigade of the Police Investigation Service, stated that the deceased person was of "foreign nationality" and held an identity card for foreigners, and that the vehicle in which he was travelling was his own property. Soto added that witnesses interviewed at the scene reported hearing at least two shots. According to the inspector, records from Carabineros and the Police Investigation Service show no background on the victim in the country, although that information still had to be cross-checked. In this case, the ECOH team and the Homicides Brigade also took action.
Gang with police uniforms discovered in Cerro Navia: 5 kilos of drugs and weapons seized
The third incident was recorded in Cerro Navia, in a housing block on Calle Ceragajardo. Neighbours alerted Carabineros after observing the arrival of a group of people wearing clothing similar to that of the Police Investigation Service and Carabineros. Police personnel arrived at the scene and, upon detecting unusual movements, entered the property with authorisation from the owner, given that it was being rented out by third parties.
Inside they found clothing that imitated police uniforms, ammunition of different calibres, firearms and approximately five kilos of drugs, including cocaine hydrochloride, cocaine base and cocaine paste. A 25-year-old woman, with a criminal record for various offences, was detained.
Lieutenant Manuel Narváez, officer on duty with Santiago Central, explained that Carabineros seized from the property "these garments that simulated being from Carabineros and the Police Investigation Service", in addition to the weapons and drugs. The officer indicated that they are verifying who might be behind the group, as the rest of the people were not found at the location, and that information is being cross-checked with background information provided by neighbours to determine whether the gang members participated in other recent crimes.
Source: Google News CL — Santiago