Former Ecuadorian International Footballer Shot Dead by Suspected Gangs
- A former Ecuador international footballer has been killed by a suspected arm-bearing gang
- The 31-year-old was found dead with gunshot wounds at his house in a province bordering Colombia
- He became the third footballer killed in Ecuador in September, after two youngsters on the 10th
An Ecuadorian footballer has tragically passed away after he was found with gunshot wounds following an attack by a suspected gang in the region.
South America has lost a number of footballers to deaths from various causes, but recently, there has been a rise in gang violence claiming their lives.
Source: Getty Images
Ecuador has particularly witnessed gang unrest recently, as it is bordered by Colombia and Peru, the top two largest producers of cocaine in the world, according to BBC.
According to The Telegraph, this unrest prompted Chelsea to pay for 24-hour security for youngster Kendry Paez and Moises Caicedo's family in 2024.
Jonathan Gonzalez shot dead in Ecuador
The 30-year-old former Ecuadorian international midfielder was found dead in a house in Esmeraldas, the coastal province bordering Colombia.
According to AFP, Gonzalez was killed alongside an unidentified second person, who died on the way to the hospital, by suspected gangs, though no suspect was found at the crime scene, and the motive has yet to be established.
The gang violence in the region has seen homicide cases rise from six per 100,000 in 2018 to 47 in 2023, but dipped slightly to 38 in 2024.
Gonzalez is the third professional footballer killed in Ecuador in September, after Maicol Valencia and Leandro Yepez were also killed in a gun incident on September 10.
They were playing for Exapromo Costa FC until their deaths, and the club confirmed that they were killed in a gun assault meant for another target.
Ecuador Football Federation (FEF) paid tribute to the midfielder, who was part of their 2015 Copa America squad, with a statement on X.
Top journalists in the country also paid a glowing tribute to that former Independiente del Valle midfielder, who was described as a humble person.
Source: Getty Images
Johanna Calderon wrote:
He was always open and humble for interviews. Rest in peace, Jonathan González 🤍🙏. We live in a country where violence is a daily occurrence, and we've had to learn to survive it.
Andres Munoz Aranenda wrote:
“Sad news. Violence has consumed certain regions of the country, and football, as part of the social fabric, is no exception. The images circulating have been shocking. González had a brilliant career until his identity problem was discovered, and then he was never the same again.”
His former clubs, including Club Olimpia and Independiente del Valle and the fans have also paid tribute to the late footballer.
Ecuadorian footballer dies in a car accident
Legit.ng previously reported that an Ecuadorian footballer died in a car accident that killed two other people after falling asleep while driving.
The 26-year-old Marcos Olmedo, the father of a son, was survived by his wife, who had made a series of heartbreaking posts on social media after his demise.
Source: Legit.ng
