The dispute over control of drug distribution points in Sanarate, El Progreso, is the main line of investigation of the armed attack that left seven people died on Monday, June 29 in the Las Margaritas neighborhoodreported the Specialized Criminal Investigation Division (Deic).
According to the report from the National Civil Police (PNC), investigators presume that the massacre occurred in retaliation for the recent acts of violence recorded in that municipality, where members of Barrio 18, the Solo Para Locos clique, and the criminal organization called Los Tambora are in dispute.
The investigation indicates that the attack would have been planned by Barrio 18 against relatives of the alleged leader of that criminal structure dedicated to drug dealing.
“In retaliation for the latest deaths of members of Barrio 18, the gang member nicknamed El Deivid “plans and carries out the attack against the mother, sister, brother-in-law and nephew of the leader of the criminal organization called ‘Tambora’,” states the DEIC report.
This is how the attack in Sanarate occurred
According to the account of the events, two armed men arrived at the house and took advantage of the fact that the main door remained open to enter and shoot at the people who were inside.
The first victim was Berta Elvira Rodas Dean, 71 years old. In the middle of the attack, one of the occupants closed the main door; However, the attackers shot through the glass, forced entry again and continued shooting inside the building.
In that second phase of the attack, Rolando Agustín Jolón López, 37, and Suly Karina Santizo Estrada de Cardona, 45, died.
When the attackers tried to escape, people who heard the explosions and screams shot them. One of them died inside the house and the other died outside. Both remain unofficially identified.
In addition, two injured people were taken to care centers. Francisco David Aldana Álvarez died at the Sanarateco Medical Center, while Mauricio Alejandro Cardona Santizo died while being transferred to the Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala City.
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Identified victims
So far, authorities have identified five of the seven fatalities:
- Berta Elvira Rodas Dean, 71 years old.
- Rolando Agustín Jolón López, 37 years old.
- Suly Karina Santizo Estrada from Cardona, 45 years old.
- Francisco David Aldana Álvarez, 38 years old.
- Mauricio Alejandro Cardona Santizo, 19 years old.
The other two deceased people are two men who, according to the investigation, were hitmen from Barrio 18.
As part of the proceedings, the National Civil Police led to a 16 year old teenager whoAccording to the police report, She stated that she works in a tortilla factory and had been sent to take photographs and videos of the crime scene.. The minor was placed at the disposal of the Sanarate Peace Court while the investigations continue.