Minibus assistant shot dead in San Juan de Miraflores near Atocongo
A minibus assistant was gunned down Wednesday evening near Atocongo Terminal. Transport workers point to the gang Los Mexicanos as responsible for extortion in the area.
New homicide at Atocongo terminus aggravates extortion crisis in San Juan de Miraflores
A minibus assistant was shot dead Wednesday evening in the vicinity of Atocongo Terminal in the San Juan de Miraflores district, according to americatv.com.pe. The victim was working at the bus stop when unknown attackers assaulted him in public, around 10 o'clock at night.
The attack occurred in an area where transport units heading south from Lima are concentrated. The victim died on the spot on the pavement after receiving multiple gunshot wounds. The attackers fled quickly from the scene after committing the crime, according to witnesses present at the location.
The incident caused alarm among drivers and passers-by who were in the vicinity of the terminal. Officers from the local police station and forensic experts cordoned off the area to collect spent shell casings and gather evidence. The Public Ministry ordered the removal of the body and its transfer to the central morgue for legal proceedings.
Transport workers point to Los Mexicanos gang
Transport workers in the area indicated that they have been victims of extortion and quota payments from a criminal organisation that calls itself Los Mexicanos. According to the drivers, economic demands and threats against workers on the southern Lima route have been constant in recent months.
Sources in the sector noted that this homicide represents a new episode of armed violence at the same location in San Juan de Miraflores. In January and June of this year, hitmen ended the lives of two other minibus drivers while waiting for passengers at an informal bus stop located under Atocongo bridge.
The crime, recorded four months after the last fatal attack, reignited concern among minibus operators working towards southern provinces. Transport workers stated that the presence of criminal organisations at informal bus stops places both workers and service users at permanent risk.
Investigations led by Depincri
The investigation fell under the responsibility of the Depincri of San Juan de Miraflores, with the aim of clarifying the motive for the homicide. The police reported that the proceedings will focus on analysing security camera footage from nearby commercial establishments to identify the escape route of those responsible for the crime.
Police authorities indicated that they will continue with operations in the Atocongo bridge area to counter the activities of gangs engaged in collecting quotas at informal bus stops in the zone.
Source: Google News PR — San Juan