Third soccer player killed in Ecuador in September

Ecuadoran shot subordinate Jonathan Gonzalez was killed connected Friday successful what was the 3rd execution of an jock successful the South American state since the commencement of September, according to police.

Authorities said the 31-year-old — nicknamed “Speedy” Gonzalez — suffered “gunshot wounds” successful an onslaught wrong a location successful the coastal state of Esmeraldas, which borders Colombia and is plagued by rival cause gangs.

Police did not specify a motive for the crime.

A 2nd victim, who was not identified, died portion being rushed to hospital.

Ecuador is nestled betwixt the world’s biggest cocaine producers, Colombia and Peru, and has go the departure constituent for 70 percent of the world’s proviso of the drug.

With an influx of gangs, the homicide complaint roseate from six per 100,000 radical successful 2018 to a grounds precocious of 47 successful 2023, earlier dipping to 38 past year.

Two players from the second-division squad Exapromo Costa FC, Maicol Valencia and Leandro Yepez, were changeable successful an equipped battle successful the southwestern coastal metropolis of Manta connected September 10.

Valencia died successful the gunfire, portion Yepez succumbed to his injuries 2 days later.

The nine said the players were victims of an onslaught directed astatine different target.

A subordinate for the second-division squad 22 de Julio FC, Jonathan Gonzalez antecedently played to Olimpia successful Paraguay and Leon successful Mexico.

The Ecuadorian Football Federation (FEF) and section clubs expressed condolences to the footballer’s family.

The station Third shot subordinate killed successful Ecuador successful September appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.