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Ecuador’s governmental prospect and previous lawmaker Fernando Villavicencio was shot dead while he left a project occasion in a main sector of Quito. Minister of the Interior Juan Zapata validated the criminaloffense and declared that the attack was committed by hitman who likewise hurt other individuals. Photo by Jose Jacome/EPA-EFE
Aug. 9 (UPI) — Ecuadorian governmental prospect Fernando Villavicencio was shot and eliminated Wednesday afternoon throughout a political rally in the nation’s capital of Quito simply days priorto the election.
The assassination was verified by Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso, who called a Security Cabinet Meeting in action.
Video of the shooting published online reveals the 59-year-old previous reporter being accompanied outdoors a high school into a white pickup truck. As he getsin the automobile, around a lots weapon shots are heard in videofootage that has not been confirmed by UPI.
Carlos Figueroa, a close buddy of Villavicencio and present throughout the shooting, stated in a video published online that was reported on by regional TELEVISION network Ecuavisa that Villavicencio was shot in the head 3 times.
“Outraged and stunned by the assassination of governmental prospect Fernando Villavicencio,” Lasso stated in a declaration. “For his memory and for his battle, I guarantee you that this criminalactivity will not go unpunished.”
The president apparently put blame for the shooting on “organized criminaloffense,” mentioning “the complete weight of the law is going to fall on them.”
A suspect severely hurt throughout a shootout with cops was captured, however passedaway from his injuries, the lawyer basic’s workplace stated in a declaration released to X, the social media platform previously understood as Twitter.
“An ambulance from the fire department validated his death,” the declaration stated. “Police continues with the elimination of the cadaver.”
At least 9 individuals haveactually been reported hurt in the attack, consistingof a National Assembly prospect and 2 cops officers, the lawyer basic’s workplace stated, including the shooting was under examination.
Villavicencio, president of the center-right Movimien