A young footballer was gunned down alongside a friend while a third victim was left fighting for his life, with the player’s club issuing an emotional statement
A promising young footballer has been gunned down in a shooting outside a shop. Jesus Adrian Gonzalez Arrieta was running an errand at a store in Colombia when tragedy struck. The 17-year-old was fatally shot while standing outside the shop with two friends. Two men arrived on a motorbike and opened fire on the group in Cartagena on Tuesday, May 12.
Arrieta, a talented central defender with Academia de Crespo, was killed along with Santiago Jos Romero Incer, 21. A third man, Andres Felipe Diaz Vanegas, 21, was critically wounded and remains in a serious but stable condition at the Hospital Universitario del Caribe.
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Police spokesperson Alejandro Salgado said the gunmen appeared to target one of those present. He said: “We are working with the Attorney General’s Office, deploying all investigative and intelligence capabilities to identify and capture those responsible.”
Arrieta, a local from Cartagena who lived near the scene, had been playing competitive football since the age of seven, as reported by NeedToKnow. He previously featured for Club Talentos Cartageneros before joining the Crespo Academy, where coaches praised his technique, commitment and positive attitude.
An academy spokesperson said: “Today football bids farewell to one of its own. Rest in peace, player. Thank you for giving everything in every match.” Crespo coach Roberto Ariza described him as “a boy with good technique” who was “cheerful, fun, and got on well with team-mates and parents”. Other trainers remembered his dedication and dream of turning professional. A family spokesperson said: “His only obsession was to train, study, and show that you could get ahead in life without hurting anyone.” The police confirmed the young athlete had no known ties to criminal groups in the region. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.