[kellyhound]

An Ecuadorean man, who police accuse of leading a faction of one of the country's most feared criminal gangs, has been shot dead as he was leaving the airport in Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil.

Security footage shows two young men aged 14 and 15, waiting outside the arrivals terminal holding stuffed toys and flowers before one of them approaches the victim, pulls his gun from behind a teddy and shoots him point-blank.

Police have detained two teenagers in connection with the crime, the latest in a widespread wave of gang violence.

This latest deadly shooting came just a day after Ecuador's president declared a fresh state of emergency in 10 provinces, including Guayas, where the attack unfolded.

Ecuador's interior minister, John Reimberg, identified the victim of Wednesday's attack as 39-year-old Carlos Alberto S.V, who he said was the leader of the Los Águilas gang in El Triunfo, a region east of Guayaquil.

Los Águilas, which was designated as a "terrorist organisation" by Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa in 2024, is accused of being heavily involved in drug trafficking and extortion.

It is one of several gangs whose criminal activities have turned Ecuador from a relatively safe haven to a crime hotspot with one of the highest murder rates in the Western Hemisphere over recent years.

While Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, has been particularly badly hit by drug and gang-related violence, the daylight attack right outside the airport's arrival hall has shocked locals.

Police said one bystander was injured in the attack and video footage of the incident showed a man pulling a suitcase collapsing on the floor as the shooting unfolded.

The security footage also captures the first gunman running away while the second fires another shot at the victim.

The arrivals hall was closed for more than two hours while forensic experts and police carried out investigations at the scene.

[Mecrupulent]

The victim (relative term, he must have more blood on his hands than the little smear he left on the airport floor) seemed to be quite calm for a guy involved in a deadly gang war in one of the most dangerous places on Earth.

Probably thought the little pictograms on the glass doors were enough to prevent people from bringing in guns... And didn't suspect cute children could be his demise.
Well, he learned his lesson. Kinda.

[scallywag27]

Love the no guns sign on the door. Wonder if the kids kept those toys.

[mr_feelgood]

Hey that's no teddy bear
That's sonic the hedgehog

Fun fact, sonic fans are always toxic.

Gotta go fast!

[kbt3168]

The little perp wearing the 13-colony’s American Flag shirt has no clue what it means.

[philovan]

Death by Teddy. You could see the victim glance at him as he was approaching, but then look back straight ahead, apparently dismissing him as a potential threat.

[Mecrupulent]

Originally Posted by philovan ↗

Death by Teddy. You could see the victim glance at him as he was approaching, but then look back straight ahead, apparently dismissing him as a potential threat.

... Which was a mistake.

[Mr.NoCredit]

Getting kids to do a hit on a bad guy like that?!?!

They took out a gang leader so give them both a medal for the efforts and some time in rehabilitation. They’re young and impressionable. They’ll come around…

[AllegedlyHere]

Guns and roses. And a plushy.

[Lugia]

Wait, where did the posed photo come from? lol