The tosquera is abandoned. Its owners exploited it until there was nothing to get out. About two years ago, attempts to take over this property in the 8 de Diciembre neighborhood, near the intersection of Debussy and Vega, in González Catán, La Matanza district, began. But, despite that complaint, about 500 families bought lots in this place.
The versions are still unclear but the hypothesis being investigated by the prosecutor's office indicates that there was a seizure of this property and that, due to a conflict between the people who profited from the sale and the organization of these lots, the shooting broke out.
It was on Sunday around 15:30 p.m. when a group of people gathered for an assembly of delegates. These people, according to the testimony of the victims' relatives, charged money to those who bought lots on the property.
The land taken in Gonzalez Catan, La Matanza. Photo: Luciano Thieberger
There were people who were settled there and others who kept their lots in the hope of building. However, sources consulted by Clarín confirmed that it was a "floodable and uninhabitable zone" and that two years ago the Municipality of La Matanza filed a complaint that was left in the hands of the Prosecutor's Office No. 2 for the usurpation of these lands. When consulted by this newspaper, they did not give information as to whether the municipality gave intervention to the government of the Province of Buenos Aires or national government to relocate the people who settled there.
Despite this judicial process, the seizure advanced and, without the claim of the private parties, it began to be alloted. The conflict had begun on Saturday when a group of people complained that they had started selling a lot that was supposed to be destined for a plaza.
Video
At least three armed men allegedly shot at a group of Bolivian citizens.
The people who settled irregularly on these lands were called delegates and were divided into zones. According to sources cited by the Telam news agency, around 500 people had bought lots there.
"At that meeting there was an argument over money between the residents of the neighborhood and the delegates, in the middle of which they began to threaten each other," one of the sources said.
The Simply Evita hospital, where the wounded still remain. Photo: Luciano Thieberger.
"The delegates were at the meeting where they were talking about the sale of a public space, more precisely a square. That's where the discussion started," one investigator added.
According to the first reconstruction of the event, there were three armed people in that group who, in the middle of an argument, began to shoot in the air and then at the people of the neighborhood.
"People started running at these three men, throwing rocks and sticks at them, until at one point they managed to turn around and shot them," Telam said.
The truth is that according to the testimony of the victims' relatives, there had already been incidents the day before, which is why this meeting had been called.
When the shooting broke out, a larger group of neighbors ran at the shooters with sticks and rocks, but at least 13 people were hit by gunfire.
The Victims
Luis Fernando Bascope (16), the teenager killed during a land occupation in González Catán, La Matanza.
Luis Fernando Bascope (16) went to school. She had recently had a baby and her father-in-law gave her a lot in this neighborhood so that, in the future, she could build a house for her family.
Luis has two brothers and his son was born two months ago. "He left behind a baby," lamented his mother, Julia, in an interview with Clarín. The teenager had never built anything in this place.
"My son said goodbye to me saying that he was going to his land because he had a neighborhood meeting and that he would be back in a while. But he never came back," she told Clarín.
Bascope was the last to die: he had arrived at the Balestrini Hospital in serious condition with a gunshot wound to the head and died a few hours later. His family, desperate, waited for the autopsy to be finished so they could say their final goodbyes.
Tomás Waldo Velázquez Chávez (28) was a bricklayer, he also did blacksmith work and printed fabrics. "He scraped by with everything, he was a hard worker, a sportsman, a great family person," they described him.
Tomás Waldo Velásquez Chávez (28) was killed in a shootout at a land grab in González Catán, La Matanza.
His mother lived during part of his childhood in Spain and that's why he grew up with his aunt. Thomas had a sick wife, so he was taking care of the couple's three children. He had bought a lot in this neighborhood to build a house for them.
Leonel Enzo Tuco Tapia (28) was rushed to the René Favaloro Hospital and was living in Mataderos. When he arrived there was nothing to be done: he had been shot in the head. "I was a kid from a family, I studied, I worked... with many dreams and projects to fulfill," his brother told Clarín.
Leonel Enzo Tuco Tapia (28) was killed in a shootout at a land grab in Gonzalez Catan, La Matanza.
A few months ago, together with his girlfriend, they bought a plot of land on this property. "Almost every Sunday they went to take care of the place and do a little maintenance such as mowing the grass and they also held meetings among all the neighbors of that neighborhood," he said.
"Today, from what little I know, there was a fight between delegates, those who sell you the land. What happened today (Sunday) was an ambush that was made and the shooting took place regardless of the fact that there were many families with children. My brother was mowing the grass and was in the middle of the shootout, between runs they shot my brother at point-blank range directly to the temple. The massacre that took place was crazy," he added.
Victor Eduardo Rivera Diestra was 23 years old and worked in a sewing workshop. She had no children and had migrated from Peru to Buenos Aires. He loved football and posted photos showing off his collection of football shirts.
Eduardo Rivera (23), a Peruvian, was killed in the shootout during the land grab in Gonzalez Catan, La Matanza.
Gregorio Mamani Choque (40) was a Bolivian national and his brother Rosendo wrote on social media. "Thank you to all the people who appreciate me and gave me their condolences. I will notify you by this means once I have the burial, to make the farewell and eternal rest of my brother Gregorio," he wrote.
In addition, eight people were injured, including several seriously. They are in different health centers and one has been discharged.
Gregorio Mamani Choque (40) was killed in the shootout during a land grab in Gonzalez Catan, La Matanza.
Walter Escobar (40) is in the Paroissien Hospital with wounds to the chest and leg; and David Zárate (32), shot in the head. Rodrigo Arraigada (26), with a wound to the thorax; Alex Choque (35), shot in the arm; Eber Bareiro (43), with an impact to the chest and Luis Lamas Caimán (33), with injuries to the thorax and arm.
Edwin Soliz (34) has an injury to his right leg and has already been discharged after receiving treatment.
Luis Condori (25) is at the Balestrini Hospital with knee injuries.
The research
Judicial sources confirmed to Clarín that they have not yet identified the shooters and that there are no arrests or warrants requested for that purpose. Also, for the time being, they ruled out that it was a problem linked to drug trafficking, as it transpired during the first hours.
The videos of the shooting are shocking and show part of the tragedy. Bodies lying on the ground, desperate people crying out for help for the wounded.
"I'm going to do shit to you, you piece of asshole," are some of the threats that are heard. A woman shouts a tidbit that reveals the conflict did not start on Sunday. "Yesterday (Saturday) we were shot and killed," he says.
It is estimated that some 500 families had already taken land on the González Catán property. Photo: Luciano Thieberger
At one point, men are seen retreating from the scene and a flurry of gunfire begins. The sound of gunfire intermingles with the screams of people. "There are guys, my daughter, my God," is a woman's desperate cry.
Towards the end of the video, which lasts about 60 seconds, several parked cars and men, one with a stick, are seen walking in the direction of the people who were shooting.