Paraguay: Rifle found, suspected in deadly Tavaí shooting

Police in Paraguay's Caazapá department have located a 7.62 mm rifle suspected of being used in a violent shootout in Tavaí that left two people dead and four injured. The weapon was discovered Tuesday evening in a burlap bag discarded by two motorcyclists who fled from a police checkpoint.

Agents from the Department of Investigation of Punishable Acts found the rifle in the peripheral area of San Roque neighborhood, on the road leading to Tava Porã company. The firearm, described as black with a folding tactical stock and bearing the inscription “UAS-1 FAB DEFENSE PAT PEND,” had a loaded magazine. The discovery followed a pursuit initiated when two men on a motorcycle evaded a routine check by officers from Tavaí's 5th Precinct.

During their escape, the motorcyclists threw the bag containing the rifle into the roadside grass. Police recovered the weapon and have secured it pending forensic analysis. The Public Ministry has been notified and will investigate whether the rifle is linked to the August 8 confrontation.

The deadly incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on August 8, in front of the “Saúl” car wash. A group of people were gathered near a car when they were attacked by two armed individuals on a motorcycle. The victims returned fire, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire. Authorities are exploring clan warfare and drug trafficking as primary motives for the attack.