Temperley: He came back from college and was killed to steal his cell phone

The murder of Agustín Rivero, a 21-year-old student, crudely exposed the crisis of insecurity in the Buenos Aires suburbs. The young man was killed in the San José neighborhood of Temperley when he was returning from college, in an event that generated shock and rekindled the demand

of neighbors for greater police presence.

Rivero lived with his parents and younger sister, studied customs broker and also business administration at the National University of Lomas de Zamora. He had exams ahead of him and a routine marked by study and family life. Like so many other young people, his day ended with his return home

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The crime occurred on Friday around 19:30, at the intersection of Denmark and Erickson streets, a few blocks from his home. According to the reconstruction of the event, Agustín was walking alone when a black car stopped next to him. From him, an armed criminal descended and demanded his belongings

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The young man handed over the backpack without resistance. However, when the assailant tried to take away his cell phone as well, Agustín tried to get away. It was at that time that the criminal shot him in the abdomen. He then escaped with his accomplices

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Seriously injured, the student managed to cross the street and ask for help from a neighbor, who assisted him until the ambulance arrived. He was taken to a Banfield clinic, but died hours later.

For the incident, Lautaro Ezequiel Silva, 21 years old and with a history of robbery, and Miguel Ángel Silva, 25, were arrested. Two other suspects have already been identified and remain at large. The case is being investigated by prosecutor Nicolás Espejo, under the cover of homicide criminis causa, a crime

that provides for life imprisonment.

The case refocused on a problem that neighbors say is everyday. In the area, robberies are common and many residents admit that they live in fear. Even some young people implement informal safety measures, such as sharing locations in real time to confirm that they arrive home.

The complaint also points to a lack of prevention. According to testimonies from the neighborhood, the police presence is scarce and usually appears only after the events. “Now there are patrol cars everywhere, but before there was nothing,” neighbors said

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