Football referee shot dead in front of players as gunmen storm pitch.
Javier Ortega, 48, was shot dead on the pitch after attackers stormed the field during a football match.
17:53, Wed, Apr 15, 2026 Updated: 18:01, Wed, Apr 15, 2026
A referee was shot dead in front of horrified players and spectators as a football match descended into violent chaos. Javier Ortega, 48, was gunned down on the pitch after attackers stormed the field during a game. Eyewitnesses report that unidentified gunmen approached during the match and opened fire at the well-known amateur league official in Ecuador. DE.
