On the morning of February 23rd, a 26-year-old man was fatally shot while he was traveling to deposit approximately $28,000 in a bank in Esmeraldas. The attack occurred around 10:00 AM in the Vainilla area, near the Lagarto parish in the Rioverde canton, according to police reports. The victim was in a brown Jeep alongside a woman when they were ambushed by four individuals driving a van.

The preliminary details indicate that the assailants opened fire on the windshield and the driver's side of the vehicle, striking the victim in the chest area. Consequently, the vehicle lost control and flipped over on the side of the road, with both occupants still inside. The surviving passenger provided the police with information, stating they had left San Lorenzo around 8:00 AM heading to Esmeraldas for the deposit transaction when they were attacked.

This incident highlights the ongoing issues of violence and insecurity in the region, particularly concerning the transportation of large sums of money. As crime rates escalate, such attacks create a pervasive atmosphere of fear among residents and businesses. Authorities are likely to increase patrols and security measures to prevent further incidents like this, as the community calls for improved safety and protection against criminal activities.