Esmeraldas, Ecuador—Two people are dead following a violent altercation that erupted in a residential neighborhood early Sunday morning. The National Police responded to multiple emergency calls reporting gunfire and a confrontation between two groups. Upon arrival, officers found two individuals with fatal wounds lying in the street.

The circumstances leading to the violence are currently under investigation. Preliminary reports suggest the incident involved a long-standing dispute between two local factions. Police cordoned off several blocks to collect shell casings and interview witnesses who were in the area at the time of the shooting.

Local authorities have maintained a heavy patrol presence throughout the district to prevent any further escalation. Tension remains high in the community, with many residents remaining indoors while the investigation progresses. No suspects have been taken into custody as of this afternoon, though police are pursuing several leads based on witness statements.

The victims were identified by family members who arrived on the scene shortly after the perimeter was established. The bodies were moved to the provincial morgue for formal autopsies. Police have increased their surveillance of the neighborhood as part of a broader strategy to combat rising violence in this coastal city.

The National Police chief issued a statement urging the public to report any information related to the shooters. He emphasized that additional units have been deployed to the area to stabilize the situation. The city’s judicial police are examining local security footage to identify the individuals who fled the scene.

This area of Esmeraldas has seen an increase in such confrontations recently. The provincial governor has called for a meeting with security officials to discuss new measures for monitoring high-risk zones. The investigation is expected to be lengthy as investigators piece together the timeline of the confrontation.

No further details on the identities of the victims or the potential motive have been released. The police are continuing their sweep of the neighborhood for any remaining evidence.