What Happened
A 12-year-old student was injured Monday, April 27, after gunfire erupted near the Gabriel Lewis Galindo Basic General Education Center in the Rufina Alfaro corregimiento of San Miguelito. The child, who attends another school and was passing through the area at the time, is receiving medical care.
Police said the shooting began when an armed person fired at a gray-silver vehicle near the school area. The student was struck by a stray bullet during the attack.
Police Response
After a pursuit, officers arrested a 16-year-old suspect in a wooded area nearby. Police also recovered a firearm and found the vehicle believed to be involved in the incident in the Colinas del Golf neighborhood.
Authorities identified the driver of that vehicle as a man who was released from prison in 2025 after serving time for homicide, weapons-related crimes and gang involvement.
Safety Measures Around the School
The Ministry of Education said the incident was not connected to the school itself, but security protocols were activated immediately in coordination with the relevant authorities. The goal was to protect students, teachers and administrative staff in the area.
San Miguelito has long faced security challenges tied to organized crime, weapons offenses and neighborhood violence, making incidents near schools especially alarming for families and educators. When gunfire breaks out close to a school route, the danger extends beyond the intended target and can put children at risk simply by being nearby.
What Comes Next
Authorities have opened an investigation to determine exactly what happened and identify everyone involved. The arrest of a minor suspect and the recovery of a weapon and vehicle mark early steps in the case, but police continue to examine the circumstances behind the shooting.
For residents of Rufina Alfaro and surrounding communities, the case is another reminder of how public safety concerns can affect daily movement around schools, homes and busy streets in the district.