In a heartbreaking incident in Ecuador, a mass shooting at La Clínica bar in El Empalme claimed the lives of 17 individuals, including a 12-year-old boy. The attack unfolded on Sunday night, as gunmen, allegedly associated with local gangs, stormed the bar, unleashing a barrage of gunfire from pickup trucks. In addition to the fatalities, 14 people sustained injuries during the chaos.
Official reports indicate the gunmen yelled out "active wolves," possibly alluding to a notorious gang involved in drug trafficking. Witnesses recounted that the young boy, who tragically lost his life, ran over a kilometer before succumbing to his injuries. Local investigators found over 40 shell casings at the crime scene, marking the brutality of the assault.
This tragic event is part of a disturbing trend of violence in Ecuador. Just a week prior, nine others were killed in a bar shooting in Playas. Since President Daniel Noboa declared war on organized crime last year, the country’s homicide rate has surged alarmingly, with over 4,000 homicides recorded in the first five months of 2025 alone, according to government statistics. As an epicenter for drug trafficking, Ecuador faces a grim reality as violence continues to escalate.
