A Shocking Incident in Mar del Plata
Mar del Plata, a popular coastal city in Argentina, was shaken by a violent episode in the early hours of Sunday, August 16, 2026. A 36-year-old shopkeeper, who had decided to spend the night inside his business to protect it after being robbed the previous night, ended up killing a 16-year-old teenager and injuring another 15-year-old, according to his account, when a group of young people attempted to steal his pickup truck.
The event took place at Avenida Champagnat and Saavedra, in the Regional neighborhood, an area known for its many commercial establishments, mostly food distributors and industrial warehouses. The man was inside his Toyota Hilux with another person when they were surrounded by a group of six individuals on three bicycles.
The Sequence of the Attack
According to initial findings, the six young people passed by the truck and then returned. One of them allegedly tried to open one of the vehicle's doors, while his accomplices stayed behind. In response, the shopkeeper got out of the vehicle and fired seven shots with a Taurus 9mm pistol.
One of the bullets struck the 16-year-old, identified as Sebastián Nazareno García, who collapsed on the street and died from his injuries. The autopsy, performed later that Sunday, revealed three projectiles in his body: one in the chest and two in the shoulders, all fired from the same weapon.
Another young man, aged 15, was admitted to the Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos with a gunshot wound to his hand. As a result, he lost three fingers and remains hospitalized. The minor confirmed at the hospital that he was with the deceased teenager, but provided no further details about the incident.
Investigation and Seized Weapons
Prosecutor Constanza Mandagarán, head of the Functional Instruction Unit No. 4, is handling the case and has charged the shopkeeper with “aggravated homicide by use of a firearm, serious injuries by use of a firearm, and attenuated carrying of a weapon”. In parallel, prosecutor Carlos Russo, from the Juvenile Criminal Responsibility Court, is investigating whether the group of young people actually attempted to rob the shopkeeper.
During a search conducted in the presence of the prosecutor, investigators seized the Taurus 9mm pistol used in the shooting, seven spent shell casings, the shopkeeper's truck, and the three bicycles used by the group. Additionally, inside the truck's trunk they found another pistol, a shotgun, magazines, and ammunition.
The shopkeeper, who is a licensed gun owner but did not have a permit to carry the weapon, was arrested and is scheduled to testify this Monday, August 17. After that hearing, the prosecutor will decide whether to keep him detained at the Penitentiary Unit No. 44 in Batán or release him if the investigation supports his claim of self-defense.
Context of Insecurity in the City
This case comes amid reinforcements from the Buenos Aires Province Security Ministry to address serious crimes in the district. The response, including additional officers and patrols, follows three recent murders (two during robberies and one femicide), a public demonstration demanding security, and several protests on the same issue.
In recent days, saturation operations have been carried out, mainly resulting in seizures of auto parts linked to vehicle theft. The prosecutor has also requested security camera footage from nearby businesses and the municipal monitoring center, which could provide key evidence to clarify the dynamics of the attack and the shopkeeper's response.
The other four young people who allegedly participated in the attempted robbery, also believed to be minors, managed to escape on foot and have not been located. The autopsy of the deceased teenager was scheduled for Sunday afternoon, and ballistic tests will be conducted this week to confirm the match between the seized casings and the bullet impacts.