Regional candidate 'La China Polo' shot dead in Caraz, Áncash
Susy Aponte, communicator and candidate for the Regional Government of Áncash, was shot on 19 September during an electoral caravan in Caraz. One detained, five injured.
Witnesses confused gunshots with fireworks during the caravan
Susy Aponte, known as 'La China Polo', was shot dead on Saturday 19 September at around 12:40 hours on Avenida Ramón Castilla in Caraz, province of Áncash, whilst participating in a caravan linked to her electoral campaign. According to infobae.com, dozens of people present at the scene initially confused the sound of gunfire with fireworks.
Víctor Castillo, a witness who was close to the victim at the time of the attack, said he was conducting an interview when he saw the woman collapse. "What I heard first was like some little fireworks from a birthday party," he stated. "La China Polo falls and the truth is that I was shocked and could not do anything," he added.
Castillo explained that the confusion was aided by the surroundings: vendors, pedestrians and members of the public surrounded the caravan, which made it difficult to identify the attacker. The witness stated that he could not confirm the account about the alleged participation of a foreign national in the crime. He also specified that his attention was immediately focused on the victim: "I wanted to talk to her".
One detained with firearm; five people injured
The National Police of Peru (PNP) detained a 30-year-old man allegedly linked to the crime, found in possession of a firearm with which he allegedly fired during the attack. Five other people were injured by gunfire: R.A.M. (55 years old), O.P.O. (72), A.A.J. (33), C.A.CH.L. (18) and E.CH.G. All were transferred to San Juan de Dios Hospital in Caraz.
The PNP ordered the deployment of a specialised team from the Homicide Division from Lima to Áncash to strengthen the investigation being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (Divincri), in coordination with the Public Ministry.
Public Ministry opens investigation for femicide; family requests investigation as homicide
The Specialised Public Ministry for Violence Against Women and Members of the Family Group of Huaylas opened a preliminary investigation for the crime of femicide against those found to be responsible. However, the victim's relatives stated that it is a homicide and demanded that proceedings take into account that days before the attack the journalist had requested guarantees for her safety.
Aponte, 44 years old and identified by the initials S.Y.A.P., was a communicator and candidate for the Regional Government of Áncash for the party Socios por Áncash. Among the measures ordered by authorities are the removal of the body and the collection of images from surveillance cameras installed in the area of the attack.
Source: Google News PE — Crime