Javier Ortega, 48, was identified as the victim. The incident occurred in the town of Pasaje, in Ecuador's coastal El Oro province, on 12/4, witnessed by dozens of spectators.
Witnesses reported that unidentified individuals approached the referee during the match. They opened fire unexpectedly before quickly fleeing the scene. Mr. Ortega died at the scene despite emergency services arriving shortly after.
The match was immediately canceled as players and spectators panicked and fled for cover. Local authorities then cordoned off the area for a forensic investigation.
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Javier Ortega, 48, was shot dead in front of dozens of people watching the match in Ecuador's coastal El Oro province. *Photo: Jam Press*
The organizing club suspended all matches pending clarification of the incident. The victim's family was also present at the scene, demanding a swift and thorough investigation.
Ecuadoran officials launched a criminal investigation, initially concluding it was a targeted assassination.
A local football official told the British newspaper The Sun: "Javier was a dedicated referee. It is unacceptable for someone to lose their life just because of a football match."
Police are reviewing mobile phone footage and taking witness statements to identify the perpetrators. "We are interrogating witnesses to identify those responsible for the crime," authorities stated, calling it "a cold-blooded crime that occurred in a space meant for community and sports."
The incident raised security concerns at community sports events in Ecuador, a nation currently facing increasing violence.
Last month, the Ecuadoran government deployed over 75,000 police and military personnel to four provinces experiencing severe levels of violence, including El Oro, where this incident took place.
Since taking office in 11/2023, President Daniel Noboa has implemented a strong crackdown policy against criminal organizations, declaring multiple states of emergency. However, the murder rate still increased by over 30% between 2024 and 2025, reaching a record 9,216 cases in 2025, compared to 7,063 in 2024.
