Shooting Incident Shocks Orense: Ariel Suárez Hurt, Partner in Serious Condition

On Tuesday night, Ecuadorian football faced a serious incident when Ariel Suárez, a 21-year-old left winger for Orense, was shot at in Machala. He suffered a minor injury, while his partner, Danna M., is in critical condition due to a gunshot wound to the head.

The attack happened on Avenida Circunvalación, where two men on a motorcycle approached the couple’s car and opened fire. Suárez was grazed by a bullet but managed to escape and drove to a medical center for help. Authorities have taken the vehicle as evidence and are investigating a possible robbery motive.

The shooting has shocked the Machala community and the Orense club. They released a statement denouncing the violence and updating on Suárez’s condition: “Our academy player, Ariel Suárez Calderón, was the victim of an attempted assault, resulting in a superficial head injury. Our player is stable,” the statement noted, expressing the club’s strong disapproval of the crime.

Suárez, who developed through Orense’s youth system and has trained with Inter de Porto Alegre and Flamengo, was seen as a promising talent at the club. This incident highlights the growing insecurity in Machala, putting pressure on authorities to identify and catch those responsible.