A journalist was shot during an attack at a public television station in Ecuador TC by gunmen in masks while they were live on air on Tuesday, January 9.
Before the live feed was ended, viewers witnessed as the gunmen stormed the station commanding all the journalists and staff at the station on the floor.
Further, according to reports by AFP news agency, a person could be heard screaming in pain, and a woman could be heard begging, “Don’t shoot, please don’t shoot.”
Shortly after the raid, a TC employee sent a message to the staff WhatsApp group stating “Please, they came in to kill us.
Journalist Recounts Events After the End of Live Feed
According to the station’s management, a cameraman was shot in the leg by one of the gunmen while another staff member’s arm was broken during the attack.
“Through our earpieces the producers told us, be careful, they are trying to enter, they are stealing, they are mugging us,
“The doors in the studio are very thick, almost bullet-proofed, and they were trying to get in because they wanted to gain access to the studio so we would say whatever they wanted us to say,” the deputy director of news recounted.
Also Read: Gunmen Kill School Headteacher, Vanish with Boxes of Cash
However, police officers indicated that the gunmen later freed all the staff.
In addition, Ecuador police officers have made 13 arrests in relation to the attack noting that they will be punished for terrorist acts.
State of Emergency in Ecuador
A state of emergency was declared in the country after a notorious gangster broke out of his prison cell.
At least 10 people have been killed since a 60-day state of emergency began in Ecuador on Monday.
Also Read: Gunmen Storm Prison, Free Ex-President After Fire Exchange
Further, the directive established a curfew every night in an effort to reduce violence as security personnel work to restore order in at least six jails.
