Story By: Lisa-Maria Goertz, Sub-Editor: Joana Mihajlovska, Agency: Newsflash
A former Colombian mayor who had already been warned that his life was in danger after suffering two previous attacks has been shot dead in front of his parents.
Oscar Alonso Mira served two terms as mayor of the town of Yali in the northern Colombian department of Antioquia between 2001 and 2003, and 2008 and 2011.
According to the newspaper RT Actualidad, Mira, who was also a lawyer, was shot several times outside his parent’s house on 1st February.
His parents reportedly witnessed their son’s fatal shooting but were unharmed.
Mira was rushed to a health clinic but died on the way.
According to the newspaper RCN, the former mayor had previously survived two attempts on his life, which was confirmed by current mayor Norberto Piedrahita Llano.
Llano told RCN: “He suffered two previous attacks. This was in an urban area in front of his mother’s house. You have to be calm, trust that things will improve. It is a very unfortunate fact because he was a well-known leader in the town and in the northeast of Antioquia.”
Mira reported the first attack when he was travelling in a vehicle with an 11-year-old boy when they were shot at.
On that occasion, Mira suffered several injuries to his arm and the boy was luckily unharmed.
At the time, he was reported as saying: “As I was leaving town, an armed man appeared. I don’t know if there were more. They shot at the truck. They hit me with two or three shots. I had received threats and I already brought it to the attention of the Public Prosecutor’s Office to investigate this.”
Oscar reported the death threats, however, he kept the same place of residence.
There is no information on the second attempt or whether he had been given police protection.
Antioquia police spokesperson Colonel Jorge Cabra confirmed that they are investigating the shooting.
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