SAA event in Ecuador on Sun 17th May 2026

Five people were killed and five others wounded in an armed attack at a volleyball court in the coastal city of Montecristi, in the province of Manabí, Ecuador, according to police reports. Armed attack at volleyball court in Montecristi The violent incident occurred Friday night when armed men on two motorcycles arrived in a neighborhood of Montecristi and opened fire on a group of people gathered on the sidelines of a volleyball court. Major Christian Sarmiento, the local police chief, confirmed that the attack left five dead and five wounded. The victims were taken to nearby health centers for medical treatment. Police investigation underway Authorities stated that the motive for the attack is currently unknown, and it has not been confirmed whether the victims had criminal records. The case remains under investigation. Ecuadorian police indicated that these types of violent incidents are often linked to disputes between criminal gangs operating in the country's coastal region. Violence in Manabí and Criminal Disputes The province of Manabí is considered one of the areas most affected by violence in Ecuador, where criminal organizations such as Los Choneros and Los Lobos operate. These criminal groups are engaged in disputes over control of strategic territories used for drug trafficking to Pacific Ocean ports.