Five people were killed and five others were critically injured in a drive-by shooting at a streetside bar in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, late Monday, authorities said. Initial investigations suggest the attack, which targeted a suspected drug dealer, could be linked to a rise in drug-related violence on the island.
“Unknown suspects in a moving car opened fire,” according to a police statement. Two men and two women were killed at the scene, while three women and two men were rushed to hospitals in critical condition. Among the severely injured is the brother of the former mayor of the coastal town of Cataño.
Authorities believe the targeted victim was a 35-year-old suspected drug dealer who died in the shooting. No arrests have been made yet.
This incident adds to the growing concerns about rising gun violence in Puerto Rico. With 74 killings reported so far this year in a population of 3.2 million, the number already surpasses the same period in 2023. Last month, another drug-related attack in Ceiba claimed the lives of four men and a teenager.
This tragedy highlights the potential escalation of drug-fueled violence in Puerto Rico. Authorities are still investigating the Toa Baja shooting and seeking the perpetrators.