Minibus driver murdered in Lima's Cercado district after refusing to pay 3-sol extortion fees
A minibus conductor was shot and killed on Avenida Argentina by extortionists. A passenger was injured and the criminals threatened other drivers via WhatsApp.
Driver killed in Lima shooting after refusing to pay daily extortion quota
A minibus conductor who ran a route between Lima's Cercado district and Callao was shot dead on 14 May, according to exitosanoticias.pe. The victim, identified as Deza Montañez, 40 years old, known to his colleagues as "Pichón", was reportedly executed after allegedly refusing to pay daily extortion fees of three soles imposed by a criminal gang.
The attack occurred after the driver departed from his stop on Avenida Tacna with passengers on board. Men on motorcycles followed the vehicle until they intercepted it on Avenida Argentina, where they opened fire on the moving bus. The crime took place in front of the driver's wife, who worked as a fare collector on the same minibus.
Following the shooting, the vehicle lost control and struck a parked car, causing scenes of panic among passengers and pedestrians. A passenger was seriously injured and remains hospitalised at Arzobispo Loayza hospital with a diagnosis being withheld.
According to company workers, this would be the fifth attack recorded against the same transport line. The drivers say they have been victims of threats and extortion payments since last year.
Hours after the murder, the criminals sent a message to the workers' WhatsApp group. In the text they confirmed the driver's death and warned that if they did not get in touch before the night of Thursday 14 May to reach a financial agreement, another driver would be killed.
"After they killed our colleague, they sent us a message saying: 'We have killed a driver, don't expect to be next, so get in line' (...) The threats come through WhatsApp messages and we don't understand how they can enter the group if they don't have the number", declared one of the victim's colleagues.
Criminal investigation officers and personnel from the National Police of Peru travelled to the crime scene to begin corresponding procedures. Around the red minibus, at least six bullet casings were counted. Security cameras installed along Avenida Argentina will be reviewed to identify those responsible for the attack.
Source: Google News PE — Lima