A talented young soccer player is attacked and shot dead outside a store. Jesus Adrian Gonzalez Arrieta was running errands at a store in Colombia when the disaster occurred. The 17-year-old boy was shot dead while standing outside the property with two others.
On Tuesday, May 12, two men on a motorbike opened fire on a group in Cartagena. Arrieta, a talented central defender from the Academia de Crespo, was killed along with Santiago Jos Romero Incel, 21. A third person, Andres Felipe Díaz Banegas, 21, was seriously injured and remains in stable condition at Caribbean University Hospital with serious injuries.
Police spokesman Alejandro Salgado said the gunmen appeared to have targeted one of the people present. “We are working with the Attorney General’s Office to deploy all investigative and intelligence capabilities to identify and arrest those responsible,” he said.
Arrieta is from Cartagena, lives near where the incident took place, and has been participating in soccer since he was seven years old.
He previously played for Club Talentos Cartageneros before moving to the Crespo Academy, where his coaches praised his technical ability, dedication and cheerful demeanor.
A spokesperson for the academy said, “Today, the world of soccer bids farewell to the world of soccer. Rest in peace, players. Thank you for giving your all in every game.”
Crespo coach Roberto Ariza characterized him as “a young boy with excellent technique” who was “bright and fun, and got along well with his teammates and parents.”
Fellow coaches recalled his determination and ambition to turn professional. A family spokesperson said: “His only obsession was to train, study, and show that he could advance through the ranks without hurting anyone.”
Police confirmed that the young athlete has no established links to criminal organizations in the area. The investigation into the shooting continues.
