Body found with gunshot wounds closes Quito avenue

Quito's Simón Bolívar Avenue experienced partial closures Friday morning after police discovered a man's body bearing multiple gunshot wounds. The grim discovery was made in the La Hormigonera sector, near the Cumbayá viewpoint.

Authorities reported that the central and left lanes of the avenue were blocked in the north-south direction, causing considerable traffic delays from early in the day. The Metropolitan Transit Agency urged drivers to reduce speed and exercise caution.

The body was found around 4:00 AM. Transit agents first noticed an abandoned white vehicle about 300 meters from the site where the man was later discovered. The car, parked on the side of the road against traffic flow, contained evidence potentially related to the case, including signs of bullet impacts.

A subsequent search of the surrounding area led to the discovery of the victim, lying on the roadway. Initial assessments suggest the man was between 25 and 35 years old and had sustained seven to eight gunshot wounds. Police and forensic teams collected ballistic evidence at the scene. The victim was not carrying identification and remained unidentified as of Friday morning. The body was transported for further examination.

The police investigation aims to reconstruct the events, identify the victim, and establish a motive. Authorities had not confirmed by mid-morning whether the white vehicle was reported stolen or directly linked to the homicide. The traffic disruptions continued for several hours as the investigation proceeded.