Argentina: Police Arrest Suspect in Killing of 11-Year-Old Boy in Rosario as Outrage Over Attack on Lionel Messi's In-Laws' Store Mounts

Rosario, Argentina is the hometown of Argentinian World Cup winners Lionel Messi and Angel DiMaria. However, over recent weeks, the city seems to be experiencing a wave of drug-related violence, including the shooting of an 11-year-old boy and an attack on a store owned by Lionel Messi's in-laws.

The attack on the boy, identified as Maximo Jerez, happened last Sunday. At least one man assaulted a birthday party, killing Jerez and injuring three other children, including a two-year-old. The attack sparked more outrage, which has been building in the city and made worse by the attack on the store owned by Messi's in-laws.

Argentinian police have detained the suspect in the killing of Jerez just a few hours after the boy was buried in Rosario. People in the northern part of the city reportedly came to his home and attacked the suspect where he lived.

According to the Associated Press, people started fires and threw rocks at the suspect's house. However, the suspect reportedly pointed a gun at the angry mob and appeared to have fired. Police then intervened and detained the man.

Angry Mob in Rosario Destroyed and Looted Suspect's House

When the suspect in the killing of Maximo Jerez was taken away, the angry mob reportedly continued their attack on his house, destroying it and stealing his belongings.

"We don't want another Máximo in the neighborhood, we're so tired of everything, tired that they rob us and that our children die," said the boy's aunt, Antonia Jerez. "My nephew is no longer here, they killed him and the whole neighborhood is in mourning, angry."

The Rosario mob wrecked and pillaged not only the suspect's house but also three more, which the attackers claimed belonged to drug dealers.

Prosecutors say that the attack on the birthday party that killed Maximo Jerez may have something to do with a turf war between rival drug gangs, according to ABC News.

Rosario Mayor Angry at Recent Drug-Related Violence in the City, Including Attack on Lionel Messi

The killing of the 11-year-old boy and the attack directed at a supermarket with ties to Lionel Messi are the two most high-profile drug-related attacks in the city of Rosario so far. This has city mayor Pablo Javkin angrily blaming it on the lack of action from the national government.

"It's clear that harming Rosario is easy, and that no one gives a f'ck about helping us," said the mayor. "Rosario is inside of Argentina, and it needs answers."

However, the attack that specifically targeted Messi drew global attention. Argentina President Alberto Fernandez promised to take the issue seriously.

The attackers who shot at the Unico Supermarket in Rosario left Messi a message and accused the mayor of being tied to criminal drug organizations. "Messi, we're waiting for you," it read, adding, "Javkin is a narco, he won't protect you."

Patricia Bullrich, an opposition politician and possible presidential candidate, echoed the outrage over the attack on the supermarket, stating that Aníbal Fernández should resign as a Security Minister, according to the Buenos Aires Herald.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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