Overview

• Masked gunmen opened fire at a Santo Domingo billiards hall on 17 August, killing seven people.
• Preliminary investigations suggest the shooting was a reprisal against "Rasta," a local gang leader who was among the victims.
• Authorities confirmed one victim was an off-duty police officer, highlighting the reach of gang violence.
• Security camera recordings and social media videos have been collected and examined to assist in identifying the perpetrators.
• Ecuador recorded over 4,000 homicides between January and May 2025, underscoring a record surge in gang-related killings.