Ecuadorian authorities have launched an investigation to confirm the identity of a man believed to be British, who was killed by a mob in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve after allegedly shooting a local resident.
Police in Sucumbíos Province issued their first official statement late Monday, following the lynching incident that occurred on Sunday.
The man, whose name remains unconfirmed, was dragged from a police station by an armed crowd of around 200 people and burned alive. He had been arrested earlier that day on suspicion of fatally shooting Rodrigo Chavez, a member of the local community.
Police Confirm Investigation Into Nationality and Background
In their statement, police said they are still working to verify the victim’s identity, but believe he may be a British national based on early findings. “We are still trying to establish the specific identity of the citizen we believe is a British national,” said the provincial police chief. “We know that he was working and teaching English and was making reservations for tourists visiting the area, but we don’t have any more information right now.”
Authorities Say Victim and Local Man Had Previous Conflict
Police also confirmed that there had been a prior dispute between the two men. “The man we believe to be British had shot a local man, causing his death. He was subsequently arrested by police,” the statement added.
The investigation is now focused on clarifying the timeline of events, the motive behind the shooting, and the full identity and immigration status of the foreign national. Ecuadorian police have not released further details about whether any arrests have been made in connection to the mob attack.
The case has raised concerns about the vulnerability of detainees in remote regions, as well as the growing threat of vigilante justice in rural Ecuador.
