A devastating attack near the Nicaragua border claims three lives, including a child, highlighting ongoing security concerns in Costa Rica's Alajuela province.
In a horrifying incident that has sent shockwaves through the local community, a triple homicide occurred in Coquital de Los Chiles, Alajuela province,
Costa Rica.
The attack took place at approximately 1 p.m. on Thursday, leaving two adults and a five-year-old girl dead.
According to reports confirmed by the Costa Rican Red Cross, the victims included a man known for offering motorcycle transportation services, a woman, and a young girl.
Valeria Jiménez, a representative from the Red Cross, stated that upon their arrival, both adults were found without vital signs.
The child, suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach, was urgently transported to the hospital in Los Chiles in critical condition but tragically succumbed to her injuries during emergency surgery.
Initial accounts suggest a violent encounter during which the victims were intercepted and shot by assailants described in conflicting reports.
While preliminary police information indicated that the attackers were on a motorcycle and fled towards Las Nubes de Los Chiles, later reports suggested they traveled in a vehicle and escaped to Pavón de El Amparo.
Investigations by the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) are still underway to ascertain the exact circumstances and identify the perpetrators.
A local resident familiar with the deceased man indicated that he was widely recognized as a motorcycle transporter, implying that he may not have been related to the female victims.
This leads to speculation that he might have been the intended target of the attack.
Scene descriptions noted that the male victim appeared to have attempted to escape from his attackers, as evidenced by his body being discovered past a barbed-wire fence that bordered a nearby private property.
The man suffered gunshot wounds to the shoulder, abdomen, and head, while the two female victims were struck in the abdomen.
This incident marks a grim start to 2025 for the region, representing the first three homicides in Alajuela this year.
Nationwide,
Costa Rica has recorded 20 homicides so far, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the same period last year.
Despite the extensive manhunt launched by the local police, the suspects remain at large, underlining the persistent security challenges faced by authorities in maintaining order along the border areas.