Second victim of attack on candidate Susi Aponte dies in Peru — The Rio Times

A 72-year-old woman wounded in a shooting on September 19, when Áncash regional governor candidate Susi Aponte, known as China Polo, was killed, died in hospital in the Peruvian city of Caraz. She became the second person killed as a result of the attack, The Rio Times reports.

The woman died on October 1 after nearly two weeks of treatment. Local media gave differing versions of her name — Olimpia or Olinda Pachas Osorio — and there had been no official confirmation from health authorities at the time of publication.

Two Aponte supporters with gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen were taken to the intensive care unit of Víctor Ramos Guardia Hospital in Huaraz. According to hospital director Henry Vásquez, they were intubated and their prognosis was guarded.

Statement by the detainee

Venezuelan citizen Luis Iván Obispo Díaz, who was detained shortly after the shooting at the Caraz market, confessed to police that he had killed Aponte. He said he had been promised between 10,000 and 15,000 Peruvian soles for it — approximately between $2,800 and $4,200.

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Obispo Díaz claims that the order came from a Peruvian woman nicknamed La Gocha, whom he had not met in person. He also said that he received a photograph of Aponte on his phone and that he allegedly bought the weapon in Lima's Villa María del Triunfo district. Prosecutors noted that his testimony, including information about the alleged recruiter, still needs to be verified.

Second detainee denies involvement

Venezuelan national Ronald José Toro Ardila was also detained in the case, with investigators considering him a possible financier of the attack. He denies financing the murder and said that his bank accounts were allegedly controlled by his 18-year-old stepsister. Investigators are checking the financial transactions and phone contacts of both men.

The court authorized holding the suspects in custody for 15 days. This period expires on October 4, the day of regional and municipal elections in Peru. By then, prosecutors must decide on further procedural steps.