Costa Rica: Safety Information (October Edition)

This report summarizes safety-related incidents, including homicides, robberies, and natural disasters, reported in October based on local news.

23-year-old man shot dead (Homicide)
On October 6 at 1:30 a.m., a shooting occurred in the parking lot of a bar at a shopping center in Guachipelín, Escazú. Two men on a motorcycle fired at a parked car, killing a 23-year-old American man inside. Another occupant in the car returned fire, resulting in the deaths of the two assailants.
Motorcyclist shot dead (Homicide)
On October 13 at night, a man riding a motorcycle in San Rafael Abajo, Desamparados, was shot and killed by two men on another motorcycle.
Electronics store robbed (Robbery)
On October 16 in Tibás, an electronics store was robbed. Police arrested three suspects, including one Nicaraguan, after they attempted to flee.
22-year-old man shot dead (Homicide)
On October 22 at 11 p.m., a 22-year-old man driving a car in Santa Ana was shot and killed by two men on a motorcycle near a hospital.
10-month-old boy shot dead (Homicide)
On October 30 at 6 p.m., a 36-year-old woman driving in Aserrí was shot and killed at an intersection. Her infant son and a Peruvian woman in the car were also struck; the infant did not survive. The driver reportedly had a history of drug-related offenses.

Man shoots girlfriend, arrested (Shooting)
On October 1 at 9:30 a.m., a 40-year-old man shot his 37-year-old girlfriend at her home in Limón, causing severe injuries. He was arrested shortly after.
Police shootout; 4 suspects arrested (Shooting)
On October 6 at 10:30 p.m. in Batán, Matina, a group of men fired at a police patrol car, leading to a shootout. A 20-year-old officer was injured, and the police car was hit 16 times. Four suspects were arrested.
Armed attack on patrol car (Shooting)
On October 13 at 10 p.m., two suspects, a 20-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man, fired at a patrol car in Batán. Both were arrested and are believed to be linked to the earlier October 6 incident.
60 kg of cocaine found in truck (Drug-related)
On October 24, 60 kg of cocaine were discovered in a truck at APM Terminals in Limón. The driver was arrested.
80 kg of cocaine found in container (Drug-related)
On October 26, police found 80 kg of cocaine in a container at APM Terminals, leading to the driver’s arrest.

23-year-old man stabbed to death (Homicide)
On October 3 at 5:40 p.m., a 23-year-old man was assaulted and fatally stabbed by a group of men in Barranca. Two suspects were apprehended.
Boat carrying 1.5 tons of marijuana intercepted (Drug-related)
On October 12, 11 km off the coast of Puerto Jiménez, a boat carrying 1.5 tons of marijuana was seized, and three crew members were arrested.
25-year-old man found dead (Homicide)
On October 17 at 4 a.m., a 25-year-old man with a criminal history was found shot dead on a street in Quepos, likely in a retaliatory killing.
33-year-old man shot dead (Homicide)
On October 18 at 6:30 p.m., a gunman opened fire at a gathering in Quepos, killing a 33-year-old Costa Rican and a 27-year-old Nicaraguan.
29-year-old woman shot dead (Homicide)
On October 20, the body of a 29-year-old woman was discovered at a farm in Quepos with a gunshot wound to the head. The suspect was arrested the next day.
Gang member arrested at border
On October 30, a 40-year-old Salvadoran man suspected of being a member of the Mara gang was arrested at Paso Canoas while attempting to enter Costa Rica.

37-year-old man stabbed to death (Homicide)
On October 4, a family dispute in Alajuela resulted in a 37-year-old man being fatally stabbed by his 64-year-old relative.
300 kg of cocaine found in plane (Drug-related)
On October 18, police discovered 300 kg of cocaine in a Cessna plane on an illegal airstrip in Upala. The suspects fled the scene.
Couple attacked on motorcycle (Homicide)
On October 26, a couple on a motorcycle was attacked in San Ramón. The male rider was injured, and the female passenger, a Nicaraguan, later died.
Two men shot in supermarket attack (Shooting)
On October 28, two men were attacked and injured in Alajuela while seeking refuge in a supermarket after being chased.

Lottery vendor shot during robbery (Shooting)
On October 16 in Oreamuno, a 41-year-old lottery vendor was shot in the abdomen after resisting a robbery.
18-year-old man killed in home invasion (Homicide)
On October 30, six intruders broke into a home in La Unión and killed an 18-year-old resident, injuring another man.

Two people shot dead (Homicide)
On October 1, a 35-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man were shot and killed in Nicoya by two motorcyclists.
35-year-old man killed (Homicide)
On October 4, a 35-year-old man with a history of drug offenses was shot dead in Liberia at a known drug site.