Overview

• Justice of the peace Víctor Hugo López de la Cruz was fatally shot inside his Chicama office by two gunmen on Friday during working hours.
• Divincri chief Col. Jhohnny Huamán said the attack appears to be a settling of scores and described the judge as targeted for enforcing the law.
• Prosecutors and police have opened a criminal investigation, are gathering evidence from nearby cameras, and have not announced any arrests.
• In less than 24 hours, three other killings were reported in the region: Robin Bautista was shot in Magdalena de Cao, Clever Salas was found with neck wounds in La Calerita, and Martín Bobadilla was gunned down in Virú.
• Police records link Bobadilla to the alleged leadership of the 'Malditos de la Huaca Santa Rosa' extortion ring, while regional reports cite more than 120 contract killings so far this year.