On February 9th, a funeral procession in Atacames was abruptly interrupted by police gunfire aimed at apprehending a teenager with a toy rifle. This incident took place near the Pedro Vicente Maldonado Park, where the funeral was gathered for a citizen who had been murdered over the weekend. The unexpected firing created an atmosphere of chaos, with mourners and bystanders fleeing the area for safety. \n\nEdison Cadena, the head of the Atacames police district, explained that the police had been following intelligence reports regarding the minor, who was believed to be armed. In the execution of their operational procedure, the police encountered an unexpected escalation, resulting in gunfire that startled people present at the scene, including those attending the funeral and nearby locals who were just going about their day. \n\nThis incident raises questions about police protocols and the appropriate use of force in public spaces, particularly in situations involving vulnerable gatherings such as funerals. The community's reaction highlights a sense of fear and trauma in a locality grappling with crime and violence, emphasizing the need for improved police-community relations and training for dealing with similar scenarios in the future.