Terrible news struck the world today when it was learned Honduras National Team midfielder Arnold Peralta was fatally shot.

According to reports, Peralta was shot in a parking lot of the local mall in La Ceiba. The gunman was on a motorcycle, and this has been labeled a drive by shooting. Police have already ruled out theft as a motive, because, according to authorities, no belongings were taken. The killer remains at large.

Unfortunately, Honduras has one of the highest murder rates not just in Latin America, but the world.

Peralta has played for his native country since 2009, and later joined the senior Honduras squad in 2011. Peralta was never viewed as an electrifying goal scorer, but he was always one of the best defensive players on the team. He played in 26 memorable matches for the Honduras senior National Team. Honduras's next game will be against El Salvador in March, and they plan on honoring Peralta before the match.

"This is terrible. They killed my exemplary son. I can't say more because of the pain I feel," his father Carlos told a news conference.

Peralta was 26 years old.

Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1