A family gathering in the cooperative neighborhood of Maldonado in Durán turned tragic on the night of February 24, as armed men stormed the home and opened fire on a group of men present. Preliminary reports suggest that at least three gunmen were involved in the shooting, which left four people dead at the scene in the Arbolito 2 sector. Local authorities noted the presence of a suspicious black vehicle in the vicinity prior to the attack, raising concerns about the premeditated nature of the incident.

Rodrigo Hidalgo, the district chief of Durán, provided updates revealing that among the deceased were three fishermen and one individual with a criminal record. The victims were reportedly relatives of a person currently detained on extortion charges, leading authorities to suspect that the attack was targeted rather than a random act of violence. Hidalgo indicated that the gunmen fired directly at these men, despite other individuals being present at the gathering, further highlighting the planned nature of the assault.

As the investigation unfolds, local police are working to piece together the circumstances surrounding the tragic event, focusing on potential motives linked to organized crime and the victims' family connections to criminal activity. This incident not only underscores the ongoing issues of violence and crime in Ecuador but also raises significant concerns about safety during communal gatherings in areas affected by such threats.