Callao double murder investigation points to gang retaliation

Police in Callao, Peru, are investigating a fatal shooting during a social gathering on October 25 that resulted in the deaths of salsa orchestra host Romario Cartagena and a woman identified as Lizbeth Tamara Chávez Guerrero, also known as ‘Tamara’. A third individual, Víctor Rumiche Guerrero, was wounded in the attack.

The National Police of Peru (PNP) have arrested Gian Piero Forro Tejada in connection with the incident. According to General Ricardo Espinoza Cuestas, Director of Criminal Investigation, Cartagena was likely not the intended target. Instead, investigators believe the attack was a retaliatory strike ordered by the ‘Cholo Wara’ criminal organization against ‘Tamara’.

Authorities suggest the motive stems from an incident approximately one month ago, in which ‘Tamara’ allegedly provided information leading to the arrest or death of a member of a rival gang. The shooting is being treated as part of an ongoing territorial dispute between extortion and hitman factions operating in the Callao region.