Gunmen Shoot Two Chinese Men Outside Buenos Aires Café

On the evening of December 16, 2023, just blocks from Argentina’s congressional buildings in central Buenos Aires, two young Chinese men were shot without warning while sitting at an outdoor café table. What should have been a quiet afternoon ended in gunfire — leaving one dead and one fighting for his life.

The incident left one 29-year-old man dead at the scene and a 27-year-old severely wounded. Both were from Fuqing, China. Neither was robbed, according to local witnesses and police.

What Happened Outside the Café?

At around 6:00 p.m. on December 16, two Chinese men were seated at an outdoor table outside a café on a sidewalk in Buenos Aires. They were drinking cold beverages when a dark-skinned man approached. He had exited a white car nearby and walked along the sidewalk toward them. Without saying a word, he pulled out a handgun and fired.

According to eyewitnesses, the shooter aimed at one man and fired two shots into his chest, then turned and fired two more shots into the other man’s abdomen. The attacker then ran back to the white car, got in, and fled the scene.

Other patrons at the café were unharmed. Emergency services arrived promptly. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was taken to a nearby hospital, where he remained in serious condition.

Who Were the Victims?

Both victims were Chinese nationals from Fuqing, a coastal city in Fujian Province known for its large overseas diaspora. One was the owner of a Chinese supermarket in the area, aged 29. The other was his employee, aged 27.

Local Chinese business owners confirmed their identities and said both men were well-known in the area’s Chinese community. Their ages and roles have been verified through multiple sources, though their full names have not been released publicly.

What Did Police Say?

Argentinian police reported that the shooting took place around 6:00 p.m. near a café located not far from the nation’s Congress building in downtown Buenos Aires. A police spokesperson stated that those present at the scene confirmed the attack was not a robbery attempt. There was no evidence the victims were targeted for their belongings.

Authorities are still investigating the motive. Initial reports suggest it may have been a targeted assault, but no group has claimed responsibility, and no suspects have been arrested as of the latest update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly did the shooting take place?

The shooting happened on a sidewalk outside a café in central Buenos Aires, close to the Argentine Congress building. The exact address has not been disclosed in reports, but it is in a busy urban area of the city.

Were the victims robbed?

No. Witnesses and police have confirmed that the two Chinese men were not targeted for robbery. There was no attempt to steal money or valuables — they were simply shot without warning.

What nationalities were the victims?

Both men were Chinese nationals originally from Fuqing, Fujian Province. One was 29 and ran a Chinese supermarket; the other was 27 and worked for him.

How old were the victims?

The deceased was 29 years old, and the injured victim was 27 years old. Their specific identities have not been made public.

Was anyone else hurt?

No. Other customers at the café were unharmed. Only the two Chinese men were targeted and injured in the shooting.

Has anyone been arrested?

No. The gunman fled the scene in a white car, and as of the latest reports, no suspects have been apprehended. Police continue to investigate.

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