A prosecutor investigating an attack on a TV studio in Ecuador last week has been killed.
César Suárez was shot dead in the port city of Guayaquil, Guayas province on Wednesday, the attorney general said.
It is not clear whether Mr Suarez’s death is linked to his investigation into the TV station attack.
His killing is the latest in a surge of violent incidents across Ecuador, which has seen the escape of two gang leaders from prison, hundreds of prison guards taken hostage and explosions in several cities.
Local media reports that Mr Suárez was shot while driving near his office. Unverified footage on social media also shows a vehicle with bullet holes in the window.
During the dramatic incident last week, masked men burst into public TV channel TC’s studio during a live broadcast and threatened them at gunpoint.
Pictures that were broadcast live on air showed journalist Jose Luis Calderon pleading with the gunmen, while station staff were forced to sit or lie on the studio floor.
One cameraman was shot in the leg, while another’s arm was broken during the attack, TC’s deputy director of news said.
In response, President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency and ordered the military to “neutralise” 22 armed groups which he redefined as terrorist organisations.
