Fruit and vegetable shop owner shot in attempted robbery in San Antonio; Lambaré victim alleges suspect was nearly released

Rafael Antonio García Aguayo, 42, was shot in the abdomen upon arriving at his business on Saturday night, May 16, in San Antonio, Central Department. The criminals, who according to police had privileged information, fled without taking anything. The victim is hospitalized at the Trauma Hospital of Asunción, out of danger. In a separate case in Lambaré, Fiorella Figueredo, shot during a robbery, alleged the main suspect was about to be released for lack of evidence, but detention was ordered after public outcry.

The owner of a fruit and vegetable shop was shot on Saturday night, May 16, during an attempted robbery in front of his establishment in San Antonio, Central Department. The victim, Rafael Antonio García Aguayo, 42, was arriving at the location in a Mitsubishi Canter pickup truck when he was approached by two men dressed in black and hooded.

The crime occurred around 7:04 p.m. on Avenida San Antonio, at the corner of Eusebio Ayala Street, in front of the Cándida Achucarro School, in the Achucarro neighborhood. According to police, the assailants apparently knew that the victim was transporting money. After a brief confrontation, one of the criminals fired at least two shots, hitting García Aguayo in the abdomen.

Injured, the merchant was rescued by family members and taken to the Trauma Hospital of Asunción, where he remains under observation but out of danger. The assailants fled in a black Toyota New Vitz vehicle, with license plate ending 665, without taking anything. Security camera footage shows that the suspects are robust.

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In a separate incident in Lambaré, Fiorella Figueredo was shot in the foot during a robbery on Saturday night while riding a motorcycle with her partner. She alleged that the main suspect, Ariel Armando Huerta Leguizamón, 30, was about to be released due to an alleged lack of evidence, according to the victim, based on an initial decision by prosecutor Laura Cubilla. Figueredo said that after she contacted the press, detention was ordered. Chief Commissioner Miguel Domínguez of the 16th Lambaré Police Station confirmed Huerta Leguizamón's arrest on a public road in Puerto Pabla and stated that the suspect has a record of violence and attempted femicide. The suspect denies the crime.