Prosecutor's Office Confirms Use of War Weapons in Attack in Ercilla
The Prosecutor's Office of La Araucanía confirmed that war weapons were used in the arson attack that occurred on Sunday night in the commune of Ercilla —on Route 5 South, at kilometer 586. The incident left two people injured and a truck completely destroyed by the flames.
One of the victims, a 67-year-old woman, remains hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after sustaining two ballistic impacts while traveling on the highway. The vehicle she was in —which had perforations in the windshield and doors— crossed a line of fire where at least eight individuals were shooting.
The medical facility reported that the victim underwent surgery and two projectiles were extracted, which were handed over to the authorities for respective forensic analysis.
"War rifles were used"
The regional prosecutor of La Araucanía, Roberto Garrido, detailed the magnitude of the attack and the type of weaponry employed. "It was determined that different types of weapons were used: 9-millimeter pistols, 12-gauge shotguns, and most seriously, war weaponry of 5.56 and 7.62 caliber. This type of projectile requires rifles and training for their use. They are much more lethal than conventional weapons and can cause serious injuries even at long distances," explained the prosecutor.
Garrido added that this type of evidence is not new in the area and similar projectiles have been detected in other recent attacks. "We are already carrying out procedures to identify the participants. We hope for results as soon as possible," he stated.
Attack with the hallmark of extreme violence
According to police information, the attackers were traveling in a truck reported stolen and intercepted vehicles traveling on the road, opening fire without provocation. After the attack, they set their own vehicle on fire and fled in an unknown direction.
The incident caused a temporary suspension of traffic in both directions on Route 5.
The Regional Secretary of Public Security, Israel Campusano, acknowledged that the event highlights the high firepower and radicalization of the organizations operating in the area. "There were preventive measures, but they are not enough. We are facing more radicalized groups, with greater firepower capacity. We must adapt our strategies to the evolution of crime," he warned.
No group claiming responsibility
A banner with slogans and names of individuals imprisoned for violent crimes was found at the scene. However, Prosecutor Garrido clarified that it does not correspond to a specific group, but rather a mix of messages linked to different criminal organizations.
"There is no clear identification. Names of those convicted for robbery with intimidation, attacks on authority, and homicides are mixed, in a logic typical of criminal organizations," he indicated.
The area remains under a State of Exception, with military and police deployment, although recent attacks reflect that the violence in the Southern Macrozona continues unabated.
