The pain and anguish has not left Juan, a 60-year-old from Guayaquil, since he had to see Justin, his first grandson, leave in an “unfair” way. A month ago, a man took his grandson as a shield in a shootout at his son’s hairdresser in Flor de Bastión.
There his grandson and his son were wounded with several bullet wounds, which led to the almost instantaneous death of the minor.
A 12-year-old boy died after being taken as a shield in a reported hit man in Flor de Bastión
Justin is one of the 70 minors who died in 2022 during shootings in Zone 8, which includes Guayaquil, Durán and Samborondón, according to figures from the National Directorate of Crimes against Life, Violent Deaths (Dinased) Zone 8.
Lieutenant Colonel Wiliam Borja, deputy head of Dinased in Zone 8, explained that the range of victims is from babies to 18 years. And that investigations of these unfortunate cases are carried out, since in adolescents from the age of 14 it is investigated if they could have been linked to fights or investigative processes.
However, that was not the case for Justin. Almost a month after his death, his grandfather admits that he “at a bad time” he went to see the money for the snack, seconds before the attack.
“It is tremendous pain, they kill my grandson, my son is still complicated in the hospital, we don’t know if he will survive due to the gunshot wounds. Both innocent, affected in the shooting for killing a customer at the hairdresser,” lamented the boy’s grandfather.
He added that in addition to this blow to the family, two months before they also suffered the loss of their other son in a traffic accident in the northwest. “We weren’t even recovering from one and now another blow, with our Justin, the first grandson in the family,” the man said sadly.
Another of those affected in these attacks by hitmen with collateral victims was Mila, only 3 months old. Subjects shot at her father outside a house in Pascuales. She was left with a bullet impact that destroyed her intestines and lodged in her spine. She underwent five surgeries in one month.
This December 25, Mila could not resist anymore and passed away.
Her grandmother, who was taking care of her at the hospital, said days ago that it was unfair that her granddaughter has gone through so many complex procedures at such a young age.
She was amazed to see how she clings to life, since her stomach and intestines had been operated on. The woman said that what they were going through was painful, because she did not have enough money to move or buy her things.
Billy Navarrete, from the Human Rights Committee, explained that there are many victims of abandonment, forgetfulness and segregation.
“Young people and children are in a situation of helplessness not only now that we see the deceased, but even before. Now there is already a traumatic situation with so much crime, the children suffer from it, ”she said.
He added that if an adequate protocol is not followed to handle these cases, a greater feeling of resignation is generated and it will increase, without further help from authorities. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
