Two police officers killed a violent, armed motorcycle thief in Quilmes

A new incident of insecurity with a fatal outcome was reported in the early hours of Wednesday in Quilmes, when a couple from the Federal Police Argentina(PFA) were intercepted by two armed criminals riding a motorcycle. The officers' response was decisive: one of the assailants was shot dead after receiving three gunshots, while the other was subdued and arrested at the scene.

The attempted robbery took place on Avenida Mosconi, at the intersection with Sosa del Valle street. According to the official report, the officers—a sub-inspector and a first corporal—were driving their private vehicle when they were approached by the criminals. The motorcycle passenger drew a .25-millimeter caliber firearm and forced them to get out, even firing a warning shot into the air.

Both police officers threw themselves to the ground for protection. When they got up, the corporal identified himself as a member of the force and used his service weapon to defend himself, firing three times at the armed striker, who was wounded and ran a few meters before collapsing. His accomplice, who failed to escape, was neutralized in a hand-to-hand struggle by the sub-inspector, who was not carrying her weapon at that moment.

The wounded thief was rushed to Hospital Iriarte de Quilmes under police custody. Despite medical efforts, he died after undergoing surgery. The investigation was left in the hands of the Unidad Funcional de Instrucción No. 3 de Quilmes, led by Prosecutor Martín Conde. The incident was classified as "aggravated robbery with the use of a firearm / homicide."

Forensic experts from the Scientific Police worked at the scene collecting evidence. The two federal police officers have already given statements at the Ninth Police Station in the Calchaquí neighborhood. Fortunately, both emerged unscathed from the confrontation.

This case adds to an alarming series of similar incidents involving members of the security forces confronted by motorcycle thieves in Greater Buenos Aires. On June 12, in Castelar, an officer from the City Police shot dead an armed assailant while on his way to work. Ten days later, in Merlo, a Bonaerense officer replied with two shots during an attempted armed robbery.

In Morón, a former sub-prefect of the Federal Penitentiary Service killed a 14-year-old criminal who tried to rob him with several accomplices. Days later, in Moreno, a City Police officer shot and killed another 15-year-old thief who attacked her on her way to work.

The most shocking case occurred in Ciudad Evita, where federal agent Facundo Aguilar Fajardo was approached by four criminals. He fired eleven times, killing one of the assailants and wounding two others, but also tragically struck Thiago Correa, a 7-year-old boy who was waiting for the bus with his father 656 feet (200 meters) from the shootout. The child died two days later.

Initially charged with simple homicide with eventual intent, Aguilar Fajardo was released after the intervention of the Guarantee Judge No. 3 of La Matanza, who changed the charge to manslaughter, aggravated homicide with excessive self-defense, and serious injuries in ideal concurrence, considering that the officer could not have foreseen such distant harm from the scene of the confrontation.