American tourist shot dead during botched robbery attempt in Colombia

[Judi Lynn]

American tourist shot dead during botched robbery attempt in Colombia

John Mariani from New York was killed when his cab was intercepted in the country’s second-biggest city, Medellin, say police

Associated Press
Saturday 26 September 2015 20.50 EDT

An American tourist has been shot dead in Colombia during an apparent robbery attempt after leaving his hotel in a wealthy enclave of Medellín.

Police said a 65-year-old New Yorker identified as John Mariani was assaulted on Friday night when the taxi he was travelling in was intercepted by gunmen in a chase vehicle and motorcycle.

Police are offering a $16,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators.

A far cry from the 1980s when it was the headquarters of Pablo Escobar’s feared Medellín cartel, Colombia’s second-biggest city has seen a tourism boom on the back of a sharp reduction in crime. The New York Times featured it at No 11 on its list of 52 places to go in 2015.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/27/american-tourist-shot-dead-during-botched-robbery-attempt-in-colombia

[FreakinDJ]

1. Sounds like a drug deal gone bad

[COLGATE4]

2. Sounds more like an American Tourist flashing

a great deal of money around - enough to get targeted for robbery.

[flamingdem]

3. Wonder if this is him

Dr. John Mariani, MD - New York, NY - Addiction Psychiatry ...
www.healthgrades.com › ... › New York (NY) › New York

I have a feeling there's a story that will come out of this - but maybe not.

[flamingdem]

4. After more googling - there are 60 John Marianis in NY

the other thing of note is that he resisted the robbery and wouldn't give them his wallet.

[Judi Lynn]

7. That one would definitely catch someone's attention!

Truly hope someone is going to allow just a little information to come through. They are being excessively guarded about any information on this guy altogether, aren't they?

Very strange.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Long Island Man Fatally Shot While Visiting Colombia: Police

Long Island Man Fatally Shot While Visiting Colombia: Police

http://media.nbcnewyork.com/images/684*367/92715tourist.jpg

Updated 39 minutes ago


A 65-year-old tourist who Colombia police say was shot to death during an apparent robbery attempt in a wealthy enclave of Medellin was identified Sunday as a Long Island resident.

The victim was John Mariani of Floral Park, his brother, Joe Mariani, told Newsday in a telephone interview. John Mariani was a lifelong resident of Floral Park and a contractor in the auto industry. He had been visiting Colombia with another Long Islander, his brother said.

Police in Colombia said John Mariani was attacked Friday night when his taxi was intercepted by gunmen in a car and on a motorcycle, according to The Associated Press. The assailants tried to take his wallet and personal belongings and then shot him before fleeing.

U.S. Embassy officials had no immediate comment, but police said Mariani arrived in Medellin from Costa Rica.
The El Poblado neighborhood where the shooting occurred is one of Medellin's wealthiest and safest enclaves. It is home to the city's vibrant dining scene and dozens of high-rise apartment buildings and hotels.

More:
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Long-Island-Resident-Fatally-Shot-While-Visiting-Colombia-Police-329703701.html

[Judi Lynn]

6. Vacationing Floral Park man slain in Colombia holdup, brother says

Mexico's president appears to be fudging numbers about the biggest threat to the country

Christopher Woody
2h

Mexico's president appears to be fudging numbers about the biggest threat to the country


During his third state of the union speech earlier this month, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto acknowledged the social and political struggles the country has faced over the past year. But he touted the performance of his government in its fight against crime, saying, “it is a fact that violence is diminishing in Mexico.”

Yet recent surveys and discoveries, as well as analyses of the president’s claims, reveal that his assertions may be misrepresenting the truth and that Mexicans may not be as safe as their government would have them believe.

Suspect crime measurements

In his speech, Peña Nieto argued that 2014 saw the second-lowest crime statistics in 17 years, including for homicide and kidnapping, indicating that his government’s efforts to improve security and restore the rule of law had been successful.

More:
http://www.businessinsider.com/mexico-crime-rates-2015-9