Armed attack by uniformed men leaves two brothers dead

Manta, Manabí, Ecuador - An armed attack that occurred on November 21 in the Las Cumbres neighborhood of Manta left two brothers dead. The attackers, dressed in tactical uniforms similar to those of the Intervention and Rescue Group (GIR) of the National Police, arrived in two vehicles and opened fire, leaving more than 130 ballistic clues at the scene.

After the attack, the Police carried out proceedings that led to the discovery of a house where vehicles reported as stolen and an arsenal with war weapons, ammunition and counterfeit tactical uniforms were found.

According to the Police commander in the Manabí sub-zone, Fabary Montalvo, the attackers used long weapons of calibers 2.22 and 7.62, demonstrating a high level of preparation and logistics. Among the weapons seized in the property were:

5 AK-47 rifles (caliber 7.62) with magazines and cartridges

2 M4 rifles (caliber 5.56) with magazines and cartridges

1 Tauros 9-millimeter pistol

Ammunition of calibers 5.56 and 9 millimeters

In addition, uniforms and equipment replicating those used by the Police were seized:

8 ballistic vests

3 ballistic helmets

7 pixelated uniforms

7 balaclavas

6 pairs of black tactical boots

Four vehicles were also seized, including the vans used in the attack, one of them stolen in Quito and the other in Riobamba.

Although no arrests were made, authorities believe the attack was aimed at a high-value figure, given the sophistication of the plan. The brothers killed had no criminal record, but the owner of the house they left before the attack has a murder case against him from 2015, which has already expired.

The seized arsenal includes rifles of Chinese origin, similar to others seized previously, according to Montalvo. Police are continuing to investigate to identify those responsible and clarify the motive for the crime.