A businessman was killed in the middle of the entrance to his restaurant

A prominent businessman was brutally murdered in front of his restaurant in the exclusive Pitalito sector, north of the municipality of Huila, Colombia.

The crime occurred at approximately 5:45 pm on Thursday, in an act that the community and authorities have described as abominable.

Harold Velandia Gómez, the owner of the Astora restaurant, was the target of a hitman attack that has left the town in a state of shock.

According to witnesses, an individual approached the restaurant on a motorcycle, called Velandia by name and, when he came out to the entrance, shot him repeatedly.

Despite the immediate efforts of the employees to rescue him, the injuries were fatal, Pulzo said .

The attacker and his accomplice, who was waiting for him on the motorcycle, quickly fled in an unknown direction, leaving behind a terrified community in search of answers.

Security cameras in the area are being examined by police, who have mounted an intensive operation to identify and capture the criminals.

In response to this violent act, the mayor of Pitalito, Yider Luna Joven, expressed his deepest repudiation and announced a reward of up to 20 million pesos for anyone who provides information leading to the capture of those responsible.

“We are facing an atrocious event that has disturbed the tranquility of our municipality; we will not rest until we clarify this homicide and guarantee the safety of our community,” the mayor said in a statement.

Police are continuing their investigations , gathering testimonies and analysing forensic evidence, in the hope of clarifying the motives behind this crime and ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice.