Police in Bogota are offering a $10,500 reward for information leading to an arrest following the weekend murder of a government social worker in the city’s most infamous drug zone.
Oscar Molina, who was rescued from living on the streets street 15 years ago and subsequently had become a social worker and government coordinator in the “Bronx,” was murdered on Saturday following threats received hours earlier.
According to Bogota’s Secretary of Social Integration, Jorge Rojas, four persons assaulted Molina while he was working during the day on Saturday, making verbal threats and launching eggs and fecal matter in his direction.
“We told him to go home, and even though he showered and changed clothes, he decided to continue his social work through the day,” said Rojas. “Later he went home and at around 11:30 at the night, approximately three suspects entered his home, one of which fired three shots. [Molina] was transported to the hospital without vital signs.”
Molinas worked for 14 years in the neighborhood and had directly worked to benefit the lives of at least 1,500 residents.
According to analysis by Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, the shooting came as police were putting increased pressure on drug dealing operations in the zone, perhaps dispersing drug users throughout the area.
While the government will continue the social programs in the neighborhood, Rojas maintains that after the shooting they will take measures to increase security for the social workers.
Sources
- ¿Quién mató al líder social del ‘Bronx’? (El Tiempo)
- Ofrecen $20 millones de recompensa por homicidas de funcionario distrital (RCN Radio)
