[Sportschosun reporter Jang Jong-ho] A shooting at an international airport in Ecuador left at least one person dead and another injured.
Local speculation suggests the attack may have been a cartel assassination. Shockingly, the suspects were teenagers.
According to foreign media outlets including The Mirror, the shooting occurred on the 17th local time near the entrance of José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city.
Witnesses said several gunshots rang out around the airport and that there appeared to be multiple casualties.
Local media reported that the deceased is believed to have been the target of the attack. He is said to have been attacked shortly after arriving at the airport with his wife.
His wife, who was injured, was taken to a hospital and is receiving treatment.
Police later announced that two suspects, aged 15 and 16, had been arrested.
Authorities said the two were carrying two firearms at the time of their arrest and were detained near the airport terminal parking lot.
Ecuadorian investigators said they are not ruling out the possibility that the case is linked to a planned assassination attempt, and they are continuing to investigate the exact motive and any possible masterminds.
The shooting came just one day after the Ecuadorian government declared a state of emergency in response to worsening public security nationwide.
In recent months, Ecuador has seen a sharp rise in murders, kidnappings, and armed attacks as turf wars between drug trafficking groups and gangs intensify.
In response, the government declared a state of emergency in 10 provinces, including Guayaquil, and has deployed large numbers of troops and police to strengthen security.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
