CEIBA, PR – The tranquility of the eastern coastal town of Ceiba, Puerto Rico, was shattered when a drive-by shooting took five lives, leading to the temporary closure of a local highway, as reported by the police on Tuesday.
In the horrifying event, three individuals were found lifeless inside a pickup truck riddled with bullets. Another victim was discovered on the adjacent pavement, while the fifth victim lost his life battling injuries at a nearby hospital, police records indicated.
Among the deceased was a teenager of 16, as revealed by Police Commissioner Antonio López during a conversation with WKAQ radio. He also mentioned that the bullet-ridden pickup contained firearms. The victims had apparently been at a cock-fighting event in Naguabo, a town close by, just before the incident.
The motive behind the lethal shooting on Monday night is yet to be determined. However, López suggested that drug trafficking could be a potential factor.
The island, home to 3.2 million residents, has already reported 28 murders this year, slightly fewer than the 30 recorded during the same timeframe last year.