A police officer was killed by a criminal with an outstanding arrest warrant since 2016.

In the early hours of Saturday, a brutal act of insecurity shook the town of José C. Paz, one of the most critical areas of Greater Buenos Aires: City Police officer Alexis Maximiliano Leguizamón, only 21 years old, was shot and killed by two criminals who tried to rob him while he was walking with friends and family.

The crime occurred around 3:30 a.m., at the intersection of Carmen Puch and Andrés Blanqui streets, in an area that, like so many others in the Province, seems abandoned by the provincial government. Leguizamón was off duty, walking with his close circle, when he was intercepted by two individuals: one on a bicycle and the other on foot, who tried to steal his belongings.

In the midst of the attempted robbery, the assailant on the bicycle pulled out a firearm. It was then that Leguizamón identified himself as a police officer and replied to the attack, unleashing a fierce shootout in broad public view. One of the bullets struck the officer in the groin area, leaving him seriously injured. However, before falling, he managed to shoot down one of his strikers.

The deceased criminal was identified as Josías Gabriel Suárez, 30 years old, a resident of the same town. The most alarming detail: he had been wanted since December 27, 2016, as ordered by Criminal Court of Guarantees No. 4 of San Martín, in connection with a case of "aggravated robbery for being committed in a populated area and in a group and for the participation of a minor under 18 years old". That is, he had been a fugitive for eight and a half years.

The other criminal, who was on foot, managed to escape and is being intensely sought by security forces. According to the official account, personnel from the Bonaerense Police arrived at the scene after a 911 call, along with a SAME ambulance, which transported the injured officer to Hospital Mercante in José C. Paz.

There, Leguizamón underwent emergency surgery, but unfortunately died during the operation after suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest, according to information provided by the health center to the agency.

The case is now in the hands of Prosecutor's Unit No. 21 of Malvinas Argentinas, led by prosecutor Marisa Marino. At the scene, personnel from National Gendarmerie conducted the forensic work. The officer's service weapon was seized, but Suárez's weapon was not found, which adds a troubling element of impunity to the investigation.

City Police expressed their condolences through the social network X: "With great sorrow, we report the death of Alexis Maximiliano Leguizamón, a member of our Force. The officer, 21 years old, was injured after an armed confrontation with criminals in the Buenos Aires district of José C. Paz."

"Our condolences and support to all his loved ones and comrades in this difficult time," added the Buenos Aires force.