Authorities responded early Sunday morning, discovering seven deceased at the scene, with an eighth victim perishing in the hospital. While the motive remains undetermined, it underscores the rampant gang violence affecting the area. The owner of the nightclub, who was the brother of Santa Lucia's mayor, was among the victims. The local government has extended condolences to the mayor, reflecting the community's mourning. The shooting is part of a broader epidemic of violence in Guayas, where previous incidents saw nine killed in July and seventeen in another bar attack shortly after. President Daniel Noboa declared a crackdown on gang violence in January 2024; however, official reports indicated over 4,000 homicides recorded between January and May 2025, exacerbated by the region's role in the global cocaine trade. As tensions continue to rise, many are left searching for answers amidst the chaos.