Financial manager of Ecuadorian university murdered in Quito; extortion suspected
Santiago Ávalos, 42, was intercepted by two men on a motorcycle as he was returning home in the Miravalle sector. He received at least five gunshots.
Financial manager of Ecuadorian university murdered in Quito; extortion suspected
On the evening of Thursday, 11 June, Santiago Ávalos, financial manager of Universidad de las Américas (UDLA), was killed in an armed attack in the Miravalle neighbourhood of the Ecuadorian capital. The 42-year-old professional was driving along Oswaldo Guayasamín avenue towards his residence when two individuals travelling on a motorcycle intercepted him and fired several shots at the right side of his SUV. At least three bullets penetrated his skull.
Following the impact, the driver lost control of the SUV and crashed into a wall. Police officers who arrived at the scene found Ávalos showing no signs of life inside the vehicle.
Investigators believe the attackers had previously studied the victim's habits, following him between his home and the educational institution. Although no formal complaint has been filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office, the central hypothesis being pursued by the National Police is that the murder could be related to an unlawful demand for money connected to his position at UDLA.
Byron Flores, head of the Eugenio Espejo police district, assured that the corresponding forensic examinations are being conducted to locate those responsible. Additionally, security camera footage from the area is being analysed to track the flight of the alleged hitmen and clarify the reasons why the father of a child was chosen as a target.
Information from El Universo
Source: Google News CL — Santiago