On February 9, in the neighborhood of San Pablo, Esmeraldas, Ecuador, three elderly individuals, including a woman, were discovered dead in an abandoned educational facility. The incident came to light around 7:00 AM when the police received an alert through the ECU911 system. Upon arrival, officers confirmed the presence of the lifeless bodies in a classroom of the dilapidated building, prompting an investigation into the circumstances of the deaths.

The victims were identified as Buenaventura Cabezas, a Colombian national, and Ramón Vera, along with another unnamed senior. According to a family member, one of the victims was found in a bedroom with signs of violence, including blood stains surrounding her. The shocking nature of the event has sparked considerable concern among the local community and has drawn attention to issues regarding safety and violence against vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly.

Furthermore, the police reported that during a subsequent chase related to the homicide investigation, a suspect was shot dead by law enforcement. This incident has raised questions about the security situation in Esmeraldas, an area already known for higher rates of crime, and calls for more robust measures to protect its residents from violence and to address public safety concerns.