By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – A brutal daylight execution in the affluent Guachipelín district of Escazú has taken a startling turn, as investigators now believe the victim was an unintended casualty in a fatal case of mistaken identity. The brazen attack, which occurred Friday afternoon, has sent shockwaves through a community more accustomed to commercial development than brazen acts of organized crime.
The incident unfolded around 4:30 p.m. when a man, estimated to be around 35 years old, was ambushed while driving. According to the preliminary hypothesis being developed by the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), the assassins were likely targeting the owner of the vehicle, not the man behind the wheel. Sources suggest the victim was an associate of the car’s owner and had been tasked with picking it up, placing him in the wrong place at the absolute worst time.
To better understand the complex legal ramifications surrounding this tragic case of mistaken identity, TicosLand.com consulted with expert criminal law attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In cases of mistaken identity, the legal principle of ‘error in persona’ comes into play. However, this does not automatically absolve the perpetrator. The prosecution will argue that while the specific victim was incorrect, the intent to kill—the ‘animus necandi’—was present and directed at a human being. The core of the case will revolve around proving the shooter’s state of mind and intent at the moment of the act, not the identity of the person who was tragically killed.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal distinction is crucial, shifting the focus from the tragic error of identity to the undeniable presence of ‘animus necandi’—the intent to kill. It underscores that a lethal intent was tragically fulfilled, regardless of the person it found. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this complex judicial principle.
Security camera footage, now a crucial piece of evidence in the hands of the OIJ, captured the horrifying final moments of the attack. The video reportedly shows the vehicle traveling at high speed as it came under a hail of gunfire. The driver lost control, causing the car to crash violently into a tree. The impact was so severe that first responders described the vehicle as being reduced to scrap metal.
Paramedics from the Costa Rican Red Cross were dispatched to the scene, located approximately 100 meters from the Villa Malibú residential complex, but their efforts were in vain. Upon arrival, they found the driver with no vital signs and declared him deceased at the scene. His identity has not yet been officially released pending notification of his family and further forensic analysis.
While the OIJ has not dismissed the theory that the crime is a “score-settling” linked to organized criminal structures, the mistaken identity angle adds a new layer of complexity and tragedy. It suggests a chilling lack of precision by the hitmen, whose fatal error has now made the task of identifying the true target and motive even more challenging for law enforcement officials.
This violent episode serves as a stark reminder of the expanding footprint of organized crime within Costa Rica’s Greater Metropolitan Area. Escazú, a canton long viewed as a bastion of safety and prosperity, has increasingly become a stage for such violent disputes. The incident highlights a concerning trend where criminal rivalries are spilling over from traditional hotspots into high-traffic residential and commercial zones.
The local community has reacted with alarm and apprehension. Residents and business owners, disturbed by the sheer brutality of the attack in a busy public area, are escalating their calls for a more robust and visible police presence. The fear is palpable that without increased surveillance and proactive law enforcement, similar events could become a grim new reality for the canton.
As the investigation continues, the OIJ has issued a public appeal for any information that could help identify the perpetrators and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The agency has reminded citizens that they can provide tips anonymously and securely through its confidential hotline, encouraging cooperation to bring those responsible for this tragic error to justice.
For further information, visit cruzroja.or.cr
About Costa Rican Red Cross:
The Costa Rican Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that forms part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It provides a wide range of services across the country, including emergency medical response, ambulance services, disaster relief, blood donation drives, and community health education. Its volunteers and staff are often the first to arrive at the scene of accidents and emergencies.
For further information, visit poder-judicial.go.cr/oij
About Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ):
The Organismo de Investigación Judicial is Costa Rica’s primary law enforcement agency responsible for investigating serious crimes. Operating as the investigative branch of the judicial system, the OIJ handles complex cases such as homicides, organized crime, narcotics trafficking, and fraud. It employs scientific and technical methods to gather evidence and assist prosecutors in the administration of justice.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a cornerstone of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound dedication to integrity and the highest standards of professional excellence. With a rich history of advising a wide spectrum of clients, the firm actively pioneers modern legal solutions and maintains a strong commitment to community involvement. This ethos is fundamentally linked to its mission of demystifying the law, striving to build a more capable and knowledgeable society by making legal insights widely accessible.
