VALLEDUPAR – A Dutch national was shot and killed Sunday afternoon in a rural area near the Colombian city of Valledupar, according to local authorities.
The victim was identified as Alessandro Massimo Berkemeijer, 32, who had reportedly been living in Barranquilla and had been staying in Valledupar since May 15.
According to preliminary information released by the Policía Metropolitana de Valledupar, the incident was reported around 5:00 p.m. after emergency services were alerted that a man with gunshot wounds had been admitted to the Clínica Alta Complejidad.
Doctors later confirmed the man died from the severity of his injuries.
Authorities said Berkemeijer suffered at least seven gunshot wounds.
The shooting took place in the Las Casitas sector, an isolated open area outside the city where there are reportedly no security cameras or known eyewitnesses.
Investigators are still trying to determine the motive behind the killing and whether the victim was specifically targeted.
So far, Colombian authorities have not publicly announced any arrests in connection with the case.