Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub-Editor:  Joana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash

This three-year-old boy has died after being shot in the chest in a suspected revenge attack against his uncle by a neighbourhood gang.

Benjamin Inigo was shot dead outside the family’s house in the Argentine town of Gonzalez Catan in the Greater Buenos Aires metropolitan area at around midnight on 26th December.

Two men reportedly got out of a grey Ford Focus and began shooting at the house where the youngster lived with his mother, grandmother, and 20-year-old uncle Cristian Inigo.

The men then drove off as the boy’s relatives called the emergency services. The youngster was rushed to hospital, but later succumbed to his wounds.

The boy’s grandmother, 61-year-old Josefa Monserrat, was also shot in the leg and received treatment at the hospital. She has since been discharged and is recovering.

The victim’s uncle told the police that the shots were fired at him after a local gang attempted to steal a motorbike from a neighbour’s house.

He revealed he traded insults with three young men who passed by on motorbikes while he was drinking on the pavement with friends on 24th December.

He claimed to recognise two of the bikers, one who is believed to be a minor, and said that they fired warning shots to intimidate him.

According to the uncle, one of the gang members said they “would return for revenge”.

The police believe the group opened fire at Cristian when they recognised him outside his house during an attempted robbery.

However, they ended up hitting Benjamin and his grandmother who had come to the front door.

The police said they are still searching for the suspects, who they have identified and are wanted for homicide.

They have also revealed that the car they were driving was stolen hours earlier in the nearby town of Gregorio de Laferrere.

Family member Laura Inigo wrote on Facebook: “Three years old, a whole life ahead… Your departure hurts so much, my love… Justice for Benja!”

A march demanding justice for the young victim took place at 5pm on 27th December on the block where the crime took place.

The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have yet been made.

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