Jorge Ríos, Argentine man acquitted in self-defense case, dies

Jorge Adolfo Ríos, a 76-year-old retired blacksmith from Quilmes, has died following health complications after a recent surgical procedure. His death follows a long period of declining health, including two strokes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Ríos gained public notoriety following a violent home invasion on July 17, 2020. During the incident, a group of criminals entered his residence and physically assaulted him. In response, Ríos used a 9mm firearm to defend himself, resulting in the death of one assailant, Franco Martín Moreyra.

The incident led to a multi-year legal battle. While initially investigated for aggravated homicide, the Tribunal Oral en lo Criminal N°3 de Quilmes ultimately dismissed the charges in June 2023. The court ruled that Ríos had acted in legitimate defense, a decision supported by security camera footage that corroborated his testimony.