It all happened on February 17, prior to the meeting between Universitario and Melgar at the Monumental stadium. (Diffusion)
Another act of violence was recorded in the district of Santa Anita. On the afternoon of Saturday February 17, prior to the match between Universitario and Melgar de Arequipa at the Monumental de Ate stadium, factions of the Universitario and Alianza Lima bars unleashed a fierce shootout that left four people with gunshot wounds. Among them, two children, 11 and 12 years old respectively.
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According to the latest statement from the Ministry of Health (Minsa), the two oldest (27 and 32 years old) have received various care from medical professionals and are recovering satisfactorily. On the children’s side, the 11-year-old is recovering in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Hipólita Unanue National Hospital; while the 12-year-old was transferred to the Pediatric Emergency Hospital of the Ministry of Health.
The confrontation occurred in the Nocheto neighborhood before the meeting between Universitario and Melgar. (RPP/Infobae)
The confrontation took place in the Nocheto urbanization, in the western area of the Santander municipality. As shown in the videos recorded by the residents of the district, the fight between barristas included throwing stones, fireworks and sharp objects with which the sides carried out chases from one side to the other until, in a rapid escalation of violence, they began to ring shots.
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In an audiovisual record, apparently recorded from the Alliance side, it is observed how a minor wearing a shirt with the Victorian club’s shield clutches his abdomen before the screams of those nearby, who desperately asked that someone call an ambulance to take care of the child.
Given what happened, users of different social networks have questioned the violence that is recorded in the districts surrounding the Monumental stadium every time a sporting event is held. (League 1)
According to the version of the aunt of one of the minors involved, the children were residents of the neighborhood who were playing when the confrontation began. According to the information she provided to La República, the minors left the area where they were having fun and came to check what was happening due to the immense noise coming from the fight.
“We as neighbors are exhausted by the many dangers that occur in the Nocheto neighborhood. When they saw the fight, they, as minors, came to see what was happening,” the woman said.
For her part, Gisela, a resident of the area, declared to the same media that the complaints that neighbors make to the authorities to install security gates are recurring; However, she commented that they have not received any response. Likewise, she pointed out that mothers who live in the area are in a constant state of worry because conflicts between baristas are frequent and children are exposed to danger due to poor security.
“Right now there are children injured and one dead. This usually happens in the area and every time it happens we see how the Police disappear. All the injured minors live here, they are from the area. They have been playing and the barristas have started shooting,” he declared to the media.
However, when the worst was thought, the uncle of the minor who received the bullet in the head denied that his nephew had died. According to Panamericana TV, the minor’s relatives spent the night at the health center awaiting information from the medical authorities.
The uncle of one of the minors denied the death of his nephew, who at the moment has a reserved prognosis. (Panamericana TV)
The Ministry of Health issued a statement in which it announced the actions being taken to care for the injured. According to the initial information published on the official platform of the ministerial portfolio, these are two children with the initials JNE (11 years old) and DTJ (12 years old); and two adults with the initials MLG (32 years old) and JEC (27 years old).
“The majority have various traumas and are being cared for by a multidisciplinary team from this hospital. Some are undergoing surgery with a reserved prognosis and one of them is stable,” reads the message spread through their social networks.
The Ministry of Health reported the health status of children and adults who were injured by gunshots during a confrontation between fans of Universitario de Deportes and Alianza Lima. (Minsa)
In this regard, the Alianza Lima and Universitario clubs issued a joint statement in which they condemned the violent acts.
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“We strongly condemn any act that threatens the lives of other people, especially when minors are involved in events like this. We hope for the speedy recovery of those affected. We categorically reject all forms of violence, regardless of the context in which it occurs. Crime cannot be justified or camouflaged in the name of sport,” the statement reads.
From their social networks, Alianza and Universitario issued a joint statement condemning the acts of violence. (Lima Alliance/University/Infobae)
This new chapter of violence in national football has unleashed criticism from users on social networks, who demand that the corresponding authorities take immediate measures to guarantee the correct development of sporting events.
“We are rivals, not enemies. Let’s not kill football; Let us banish violence and fight for a safe and peaceful environment,” states the statement from the sports institutions involved. However, criticism on social networks has been directed at the way of advertising their brands. “Let’s not encourage violence, we are all participants in this phenomenon,” said one user.
In the latest versions of the ministerial portfolio, the Minsa published that one of the adults could be discharged in the coming days given their good reaction to the treatment. At the moment, the other affected people continue to have a reserved prognosis, with the minor who received a gunshot wound to the head who must be treated by professionals specialized in pediatrics after being transferred to another health center.
Statement from the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) after the events of February 17. (RPP/FPF/Infobae)
The Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) issued a statement through its social networks calling on the different actors that make up the national sport to promote the sporting spirit and integrity that the competition demands.
“The Peruvian Football Federation rejects all acts of violence. Sport should not be used as a pretext for crime and criminality under any conditions. Likewise, she is always willing to collaborate with the dissemination of messages that contribute to the search for peace. We urge the competent authorities to act firmly to identify and eradicate the bad elements that make excuses in football to attack people’s lives and integrity. Finally, we call on all football players to promote the spirit and integrity of the competition while respecting their rivals. In soccer, the rivalry remains on the field. It is everyone’s task to contribute so that our country achieves peace,” he reads in his statement.