Violent Incidents Surge in San José Amidst Rising Homicide Rates
Multiple shootings in Costa Rica's capital raise community concerns as the country nears a grim record of 400 homicides in 2025.
A series of violent incidents in San José, Costa Rica, has raised alarm among residents as the country approaches a significant milestone in homicide rates for the year 2025. On June 12, 2025, a man identified as Granados, aged 37, was shot and killed in the Villa Esperanza neighborhood of Pavas.
Witnesses reported hearing six gunshots before authorities arrived at the scene, where Granados was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the head, chest, and right arm.
The attack occurred in the street, and no shell casings were recovered.
Emergency services from the Red Cross received the alert at 7:47 p.m., confirming the victim was beyond medical assistance upon arrival.
This incident reflects a growing concern in the community about ongoing violence, following another shooting reported just hours later.
A second homicide occurred in the neighborhood known as Los 300 in Purral, where a 25-year-old man, Acevedo, succumbed to gunshot wounds after being attacked while walking in public.
The Cruz Roja confirmed his death at the scene, and investigations are currently active with the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) collecting ballistic evidence.
As of June 13, 2025, Costa Rica has logged 398 homicides in total, a slight increase from the same period in 2024. San José is particularly affected, registering 130 murders thus far, which indicates a decrease compared to the previous year's statistics.
However, the data signifies the ongoing struggle with violent crime in the country, known for its relatively high levels of safety compared to its Central American neighbors.
In a related case, a 27-year-old man by the surname Villafuerte was apprehended on June 12 in Pavas on an existing warrant for homicide.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, his police record links him to various criminal activities, and his detention is part of an ongoing effort to combat rising crime rates.
Another significant incident on the same day involved a police operation in La Guácima, Alajuela, where authorities discovered a stash of illegal firearms and drugs.
During a residential search, law enforcement found ten M16 rifles, 26 semi-automatic rifles, and 19 pistols, along with hundreds of packages of cocaine and marijuana.
Two suspects were arrested and face charges related to the storage of illegal substances and weapons, marking a coordinated effort by the judicial police and other agencies in the fight against organized crime.
As Costa Rica continues to face challenges with violence and crime, communities remain vigilant, fearing the possibility of further escalations.
Witnesses reported hearing six gunshots before authorities arrived at the scene, where Granados was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the head, chest, and right arm.
The attack occurred in the street, and no shell casings were recovered.
Emergency services from the Red Cross received the alert at 7:47 p.m., confirming the victim was beyond medical assistance upon arrival.
This incident reflects a growing concern in the community about ongoing violence, following another shooting reported just hours later.
A second homicide occurred in the neighborhood known as Los 300 in Purral, where a 25-year-old man, Acevedo, succumbed to gunshot wounds after being attacked while walking in public.
The Cruz Roja confirmed his death at the scene, and investigations are currently active with the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) collecting ballistic evidence.
As of June 13, 2025, Costa Rica has logged 398 homicides in total, a slight increase from the same period in 2024. San José is particularly affected, registering 130 murders thus far, which indicates a decrease compared to the previous year's statistics.
However, the data signifies the ongoing struggle with violent crime in the country, known for its relatively high levels of safety compared to its Central American neighbors.
In a related case, a 27-year-old man by the surname Villafuerte was apprehended on June 12 in Pavas on an existing warrant for homicide.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, his police record links him to various criminal activities, and his detention is part of an ongoing effort to combat rising crime rates.
Another significant incident on the same day involved a police operation in La Guácima, Alajuela, where authorities discovered a stash of illegal firearms and drugs.
During a residential search, law enforcement found ten M16 rifles, 26 semi-automatic rifles, and 19 pistols, along with hundreds of packages of cocaine and marijuana.
Two suspects were arrested and face charges related to the storage of illegal substances and weapons, marking a coordinated effort by the judicial police and other agencies in the fight against organized crime.
As Costa Rica continues to face challenges with violence and crime, communities remain vigilant, fearing the possibility of further escalations.
