Police in Puerto Rico investigate the massacre in the town of Cidra
PUERTO RICO – Four men were executed and a fifth is torn between life and death after being shot last night by a gang of hitmen in front of the La Lomita business, located on Los Oliques street in the Certenejas neighborhood, in Cidra.
The eleventh massacre of the year, which also left another 45-year-old man wounded by a gunshot, occurred at around 11:49 pm while around 40 people were inside the premises celebrating the merchant’s birthday.
When gunmen’s target, identified as Jonathan Oniel Ortiz Castrodad alias Ónix, 27 years old, went outside of the premises, the perpetrators’ car showed up and started to shoot both, their target and his companions.
The individual had a criminal record for attempted murder and violation of the Weapons Law, and, at one point, was listed as one of the most wanted fugitives in the Caguas area. In addition, he was facing federal charges for violation of the Weapons Law and was a suspect in several recent murders in the area.
The other victims were identified as Andrés Manuel Bonilla Rivera, 38 years old, and Sebastián Figueroa Chamorro alias Wason, 28 years old. The latter had a criminal record for robbery. Both were neighbors in Cidra.
A fourth individual has not been identified. Nor has it been established whether he belonged to the opposing side.
The four deceased were armed with guns as well.
At the scene they recovered as evidence more than 180 rifle shells and other calibers.
As part of the investigation, police will analyze security cameras looking to establish the description of the vehicles in which the assassins were traveling.
The investigation is conducted by agents Blanca Pagán and Anthony Egea, attached to the Caguas Homicide Division, and prosecutor Jaime Perea.
So far this year, there have been 587 murders, 80 more than in 2020.