08/07/2026 12:10 - Judiciales
On July 7, 2026, while the entire country celebrated the agonizing comeback of the Argentine National Team against Egypt in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the Buenos Aires town of Cañuelas was plunged into mourning. Franco Daniel Depauli (46), a neighbor deeply loved for his participation in charity events, lost his life after being struck in the head by a stone during a brawl between gangs.
For our international readers, Cañuelas is a town located in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. In Argentina, it is a deeply rooted tradition to take to the streets and town squares to celebrate national team victories, often gathering around local monuments. Unfortunately, these massive gatherings sometimes attract minor criminal groups looking to cause disturbances.
"You see, we never lost faith and hope, see you on Saturday, I love you."
Javier recounted that the two had lunch at a cafe in downtown Cañuelas, sharing the sorrow over the Egyptian goals and embracing over the Argentine ones. When they went out to the street to celebrate, Depauli was moved to tears. Minutes after saying goodbye, Javier received the message that left him in shock: "They killed the gypsy".
The tragedy occurred at the intersection of Libertad and 25 de Mayo streets, at the Plaza San Martín. Upon noticing disturbances, Franco went to his car to retrieve an object from the trunk and was hit by a projectile thrown by one of the participants in a fight.
| Victim | Franco Daniel Depauli (46 years old) |
| Date | July 7, 2026 |
| Location | Cañuelas, intersection of Libertad and 25 de Mayo |
| Detained Suspect | I. N. L. (20 years old), with a criminal record for theft |
| Charge | Simple homicide |
Family members took Depauli to the Hospital Marzetti because the crowd was blocking the ambulance's path. The hospital director, Hernán Carpio, confirmed that the man "arrived without vital signs" and that the medical team attempted to resuscitate him for 50 minutes without success. The body will undergo an autopsy as per protocol.
Hours later, the Police detained I. N. L. (20), identified as the alleged perpetrator of the attack after being recognized in videos recorded by witnesses. The young man has a history of theft and was placed at the disposal of the local prosecutor's office. The municipal Security Secretariat asked the community to send more audiovisual material to clarify the case.
The municipality declared 48 hours of community mourning and expressed its full confidence in the Justice system. Neighbors remembered Franco as "a symbol of Cañuelas," a supportive man who used to imitate Michael Jackson at Children's Day events. The community remains hopeful that those responsible will be held accountable and that peace will prevail in future celebrations.
Source: Infobae
Alfredo S. Quiroga
