Unidentified individuals dressed in police uniforms kidnapped Edwin Josué Andino on the morning of October 10, 2022, from his home in Comayagüela, northwest of the capital of Tegucigalpa, and later shot and killed him, a report by C-Libre, a Honduran free expression group, and news reports said. Andino’s body was found on the street near his home, with his mouth taped shut and gunshot wounds to his face.
The journalist’s father, Edwin Emilio Andino, whom assailants took from the same home hours before the journalist was taken, was found shot and killed in a different neighborhood of Tegucigalpa, according to those reports.
Andino, 23, graduated from journalism school in 2021 and worked as a producer for afternoon shows on the national La Tribuna TV (LTV) station, according to news reports and a statement from the outlet. LTV director Raúl Morazán told AFP that Andino had worked for the channel for two years and he was unaware of any threats against the journalist.
On October 12, 2022, police said two cars used by the shooters, which were found in an abandoned property with plastic handcuffs, tape, and traces of blood, were taken to forensic examiners.
On October 15 and 18, police arrested several people with alleged ties to the Barrio 18 gang, including four who are allegedly connected to the killing of Andino and his father, according to multiple news reports.
National Police chief Gustavo Sánchez told media outlets that mobile devices confiscated from the suspects included “technical and scientific” evidence that at least three of the individuals were involved in killing the pair.
Security Minister Ramón Sabillón told CPJ via messaging app in October 2022 that police investigations were still ongoing.