Daylight Ambush in Limón Hospital: A Crime That Shook Costa Rica

In an audacious act that rattled the community of Limón, Costa Rica, Tony Facio Hospital became the unexpected stage for a harrowing armed assault. The assailants, armed and determined, launched a targeted attack on a hospitalized man, Duarte Avilés, who unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

The Premeditated Hospital Invasion

The audacity of the attackers, identified as Perez (21), Velasquez (22), and Cerdas (25), was chilling. They gained access to the hospital premises using a makeshift wooden ladder, cleverly circumventing security by breaching the hospital’s perimeter mesh and infiltrating through the roof. Their calculated movements, reminiscent of a Hollywood heist movie, underscored a sinister intent.

Duarte Avilés, the victim, was already battling injuries from an earlier armed attack in the Ojo de Agua neighborhood. The hospital, a sanctuary of healing and hope, turned into a crime scene, shattering the tranquility of the early morning hours.

The Attack and Its Aftermath

The incident unfolded in a dramatic and tragic sequence. Shots were fired through a window, grievously injuring a hospital employee in the thorax – an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of a vendetta. In a desperate attempt to escape, one of the assailants sought refuge in a manhole, but the long arm of the law was quicker, leading to their swift apprehension.

Authorities seized firearms, clothing, and a getaway vehicle at the scene. Despite the presence of security officers and established protocols for guarding patients like Avilés, the attackers’ relentless pursuit of their vendetta led to a fatal outcome.

A Deadly Pursuit

The case, now under the lens of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), revealed a sinister plot to “finish off” Duarte Avilés. Known as “Suty,” he was already on the assailants’ radar, making the hospital assault a calculated continuation of a previous conflict.

This incident raises questions about hospital security and the effectiveness of protective measures in place for high-risk patients. It also underscores the challenges that law enforcement faces in safeguarding public spaces against determined criminal elements.

The Shockwave Through Limón

The community of Limón, often buzzing with the vibrancy of Costa Rican culture, was left reeling from the shock of the attack. The boldness of the crime in broad daylight and in a place of healing has led to a renewed call for stricter security measures and a comprehensive review of patient protection protocols in medical facilities.

The Ministry of Security, while directing inquiries to the OIJ, has highlighted the complexity of the case. As the investigation continues, further details are expected to unravel the motive behind this brazen attack and the security lapses that allowed it to occur.