This front man of a well-known rock band has been shot dead live on stage in the middle of a gig as fans watched on.
Cesar Canales, 27, frontman of the Apes of God thrash metal band, was killed as the band took part in a show at the town of Armenia in the eastern El Salvador department of Sonsonate.
The Salvadoran band later said they were “devastated” by the loss of their friend and singer and announced they had quit the music scene following the tragedy.
The gunman fled the scene but hours later police arrested a suspect, Wilber Isidro Orellana, 36, who has been charged with the murder of Canales.
The Apes of God was one of seven rock bands appearing at the Green Metal Concert event in Armenia which is located about 35 kilometres (22 miles) from the capital city of San Salvador.
They were rounding up their set when Canales, who founded the band with guitarist Rodrigo Salguero in 2015, was shot dead on stage.
His bandmates and other eyewitnesses rushed to his side to try to revive him but the singer died at the scene.
Eyewitnesses told local media they had seen the suspect exchange heated words with the singer at the event before the band went on stage.
Orellana reportedly left the event but returned with a gun which he allegedly used to shoot Canales on stage before fleeing the scene.
The Apes of God later released a statement on Facebook in which they announced they were breaking up and said: “We are not interested in being part of a scene like this.
“As band we feel devastated for the fact, as we have suffered in own flesh to see how our friend, our brother, died in our arms,”
The Green Metal Concert was organised by the Armenia en Pie charity which has the stated goal of “working for a society free of violence”. It condemned the murder which it said was “caused by intolerance”.
El Salvador is one of the world’s most violent countries. Last year, it registered 51 murders for each 100,000 inhabitants.Â
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Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
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