Taxi colectivo driver gunned down in front of his family in Peru

A taxi colectivo driver was shot dead in the early hours of Monday, October 5, 2026, in the district of Independencia in northern Lima, while his wife and young son looked on.

The victim, identified as Juan Manuel Melgarejo Ochante, was outside his home near Avenida Baños del Inca in the Tahuantinsuyo area around 3:00 a.m. He was inside or near his vehicle with his family when two men on a motorcycle approached and opened fire.

Melgarejo tried to flee toward a nearby hillside, but the attackers pursued him and continued shooting. Police and prosecutors said the assailants fired at least 10 rounds, with eight striking the victim. He was rushed to a nearby clinic, where doctors pronounced him dead from his injuries. His wife and son were unharmed.

Colleagues confirmed that Melgarejo worked as a colectivo driver in Lima Norte. Associates declined to say whether his route or association had received prior threats, citing fear. The area has seen a wave of attacks on transport workers linked to extortion demands.

Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office are investigating the motive and working to identify the gunmen. The crime scene was secured for evidence collection. Other reports have linked the killing to pressure from criminal groups demanding daily “cupos” (protection payments) from informal transport operators in the area.

The killing is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting drivers and transport workers across Lima and Callao in recent weeks.