Shooting during Ecuador-Curazao match causes panic in Ibarra

A shooting incident on Saturday night, June 20, 2026, caused panic among dozens of people watching the Ecuador vs. Curazao football match on a giant screen in Ibarra's historic center. The gunfire erupted in the busy intersection of Juan José Flores and Bolívar streets.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple shots fired amidst the public gathering, prompting immediate reactions from attendees. Videos circulating on social media show scenes of confusion and fear, with people running in various directions and others taking cover on the ground to protect themselves from the bullets.

One video captures a man carrying a woman as they flee the scene, while others remain visibly affected. The event took place in an area often used for community and cultural activities, including regular salsa dancing sessions aimed at promoting public space utilization in the historic center.

Preliminary information from witnesses suggests the incident may be related to a suspected contract killing. However, the National Police have not officially confirmed this hypothesis. As of the publication of this report, there has been no official statement regarding fatalities or injuries resulting from the attack, nor any information on arrests or the identities of the alleged perpetrators. Authorities are expected to release an official report soon to clarify the circumstances of this violent event.