In the early hours of Sunday, March 8, an armed attack occurred on Costanera Avenue in the Quisquís neighborhood of northern Guayaquil, claiming the lives of two individuals and injuring eleven others. The incident took place around 3:30 AM when several citizens were gathered in a public area that also functioned as both a social space and an alcohol sales venue. Armed assailants arrived on motorcycles and opened fire on the group, leading to chaos and panic as people attempted to escape the gunfire.

Law enforcement reported that five assailants on two motorcycles carried out the shooting before fleeing toward the nearby Mapasingue Hills. The deceased include José Daniel Chóez Barcia, 24, who was found at the scene, and another unidentified victim, approximately 35 years old, who later succumbed to injuries at the IESS Ceibos hospital. This incident highlights the ongoing issues with violence and criminal activity in certain regions of Ecuador, further igniting concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement.

The situation raised alarms about the rising incidents of gun violence in Ecuadorian urban centers, prompting calls from local authorities for greater security measures and community vigilance. As investigations by criminalistics personnel continue, the police seek to identify and apprehend those responsible for this brazen attack, which has garnered significant media attention and community fear regarding the safety of public spaces in the country.