Colombian Presidential Candidate Shot Twice in Assassination Attempt, 15-Year-Old Suspect in Custody

A presidential hopeful was shot multiple times while speaking to supporters at a public park over the weekend.

Miguel Uribe Turbay, a senator part of Colombia’s center-right Centro Democrático party, was attacked on Saturday, June 7, while in the Fontibón neighborhood of the country’s capital Bogotá.

A 15-year-old, who was carrying a Glock-style pistol, has since been arrested, according to CNN and the BBC, both of which cited the local attorney general’s office.

Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro said during a television appearance later that day that it wasn’t clear if the teen was acting alone, per The New York Times.

According to an update shared on X by Turbay’s wife, Maria Claudia Tarazona, the senator was “fighting for his life” following the shooting.

She thanked his supporters for their “solidarity” and “prayers” in a later statement on Sunday, June 8, writing that updates about his health would be shared by the hospital.

“He came out well from the surgery,” his wife later told reporters, per CNN, which cited the Agence France-Presse (AFP). “He fought the first battle and fought it well. He is fighting for his life.”

Related Stories

20-Year-Old Man Arrested After Mass Shooting at Party in North Carolina Left 1 Dead and 11 Injured: Police

7-Year-Old Girl Was Asleep in Bed When Stray Bullet from Drive-By Shooting Struck Her in the Head, Say Police

Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, the hospital where Turbay was admitted, announced in a statement on June 8 that the politician was treated with procedures on his head and his left thigh and remains in intensive care. The hospital called his condition “extremely serious.”

The BBC reported that Turbay was shot three times on June 7, including twice in the head.

Turbay was speaking to supporters at the park over the weekend when loud bangs rang out. He fell to the ground after appearing to be shot from behind, according to widely shared footage from the scene.

Later footage showed supporters assisting and carrying the presidential candidate, who appeared to be covered in blood, as he was placed near the hood of a white car.

At least three other people were also shot at the park, including a 20-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman and a 15-year-old, the Secretaría de Salud de Bogotá said.

Bogota Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán said on June 8, per CNN, that Turbay has since entered “the critical hours” of recovery following his own procedures.

President Petro added during his broadcast on June 7 that “no resource should be spared” when tracking down those responsible for the shooting.

“Not a single peso,” he said, per the Times, adding that Turbay’s security would be investigated for protocol failures.

Eyewitness Victor Mosquera told reporters outside of the hospital that he was near the senator during the shooting and still had blood on his clothing while outside of the hospital, per the Times.

“Everyone was screaming and running,” he said, adding, “When I turned around, I saw Miguel lying next to me.”

Pedro Sánchez, Colombia’s defense minister, has since announced on X that a reward is being offered of up to 3 billion Colombian pesos — roughly $728,000 — for more information.