An intense dispute over a communal water valve resulted in a fatal shooting at the Rio Palma condominium complex in Escazu, Costa Rica, on the morning of June 3, 2024.
Resident Eduardo Ramírez Zamora, 53, killed his 53-year-old neighbor, Otoniel Orozco Mendoza, in front of shocked witnesses, including both mens’ wives. Video recording of the incident has since surfaced.
The video shows a woman exiting her garage as the Mendozas, her neighbors, yell at her. The scene quickly escalated when Zamora intervened, hiding a firearm that he had just loaded. Despite calls from onlookers trying to defuse the situation, Zamora and Mendoza faced off outside their homes. Mendoza was the first to engage physically. The altercation became lethal when Zamora discharged his weapon, striking Mendoza multiple times.
A witness told reporters, “We heard a commotion outside, and when we looked out, we saw one neighbor shooting the other, who did not survive.” The rising conflict between the two men was not new. Witnesses say that Zamora had a history of provoking Mendoza and his family, frequently making derogatory remarks about Mendoza’s Nicaraguan background.
Zamora continued to shoot Mendoza even as he lay wounded on the ground, resulting in his death. “Once he was lying on the ground, the other neighbor continued to shoot him without fear,” another witness narrated. Despite immediate attempts by neighbors to save Mendoza, he died on the scene due to gunshot injuries to his chest and legs, according to the Judicial Investigation Department (OIJ).
Mendoza’s family voiced their dissatisfaction with the local authorities, stressing that they had repeatedly reported Zamora’s violent behavior with no significant response. “They had ongoing issues for a long time. Even legal action was taken against him, but nothing was done to resolve the situation,” a family member said. “Neither the police force nor the OIJ acted,” the grieving relative added.
The video of the fatal confrontation spread rapidly online, shocking the residents of Rio Palma. Other condo dwellers expressed their surprise, pointing out that they were unaware Zamora possessed a gun. They had tried to mediate between the two men before, encouraging them to settle their disagreements peacefully for the community’s sake.
Zamora’s father revealed that the disputes started over renovations at Mendoza’s house, and on the day of the incident, Mendoza allegedly assaulted Zamora’s wife. Zamora insists he acted in self-defense.
Zamora is currently in custody and will remain in preventive detention for three months while authorities continue their investigation.
