On the 22nd of May, 2018, Harry Alexander Ortiz Parra, a 38-year-old community leader was killed when the truck he was driving was ambushed with grenades and rifle fire.

Originally from Barbacaos, Harry Alexander was gaining prominence for his political and community leadership, before moving to Tumaco.

Although his partner states that Harry Alexander was not previously threatened, police investigations reveal that in the attack, which killed three others, Harry Alexander was the primary recipient of the majority of rifle shots.

Harry Alexander was hired to drive the truck by the three other passengers who also died as a result of their wounds. Investigations into whether the killings, or the other passengers, were related to the armed groups that operate in the region have not brought any results.