Alezka Thalia Manrique Castillo, a 27-year-old singer from Peru, was tragically killed during a violent robbery of her band’s tour bus in Bagua Grande, Peru, following a gig at a local venue. Castillo, who performed under the name Thalia Castillo, was part of the Hermanos Guerreros orchestra.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning. According to bandmate Ingrid Vallejo, the tour bus was intercepted by six armed assailants around 5 a.m. as the group was returning from a performance at San Martín de Porres.
Vallejo told reporters, “My partner wanted to go into the bus bathroom in her instinct to protect herself and the moment she was there, the shot went off,” in an interview.
The attackers reportedly forced the bus driver off the vehicle and physically assaulted other band members. They shot Castillo in the leg and back, then removed her from the bus and left her in a roadside ditch to die, ordering the remaining band members to stay on the ground.
The assailants then fled the scene, taking with them the band’s musical instruments and earnings from the performance. Castillo was pronounced dead while on the way to Santiago Apóstol Hospital due to the severity of her injuries.
Jair Enrique Manrique, the deceased singer’s brother, reported to RPP radio that the Peru National Police have identified the suspects and are currently awaiting arrest warrants.
Walter Ángeles González, owner of the Hermanos Guerrero orchestra, confirmed that potential identification of a suspect has been made. However, authorities are holding back information to avoid any possibility of the suspect fleeing. This incident marks the first of its kind for the musical group.
Castillo, who had joined the band just two months before the incident, was planning to complete her business administration degree this month. She leaves behind two children, including a nine-year-old son.
Vallejo remembered Castillo fondly, stating, “Thalia was a person full of joy, always with a smile. Her talent and dedication to music made her special,” in a statement to Radio Exitosa.
The tragic event has prompted reactions from Peru’s music community. Grupo 5, another musical group, issued a statement addressing the ongoing security issues in the country.