Public Transport Driver Shot Dead in Front of Passengers in Lima

A public transport van driver was shot and killed in broad daylight on Colonial Avenue in Lima's Cercado district, with the attack occurring in front of her passengers. The victim, identified as Elizabeth Arroyo Humareda, known by her colleagues as “Chiki,” was reportedly targeted by two individuals on a motorcycle.

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The passengers disembarked from the unit in the midst of panic after hearing the shots.

Witnesses reported that the assailants intercepted the van as it slowed down, and one of them fired at least three shots directly at the driver. Arroyo Humareda sustained multiple gunshot wounds. After the attack, she lost control of the vehicle, which continued for a short distance before coming to a stop. The assailants fled the scene immediately.

Paramedics transported Arroyo Humareda to the Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival. Her colleagues expressed deep concern over the pervasive insecurity affecting public transport operators. Despite the risks, they stated their commitment to continuing their work to support their families and urged the state to implement measures ensuring their safety.

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We need to work to support our families.

The National Police's Homicide Division is investigating the crime, exploring extortion as a primary motive. Initial findings suggest the transport company where Arroyo Humareda worked may have received prior threats from criminal organizations involved in extortion rackets. This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence against transport workers in Lima, including threats, extortion demands, and attacks on vehicles.

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The main hypothesis investigators are considering is that the crime is related to extortion payments to the transport company where the victim worked.