Ecuador: Gunmen storm TV studio live on air, police arrest 13 suspects

A Tuesday live broadcast by Ecuadorean television station TC was interrupted by armed people who obliged staff to lie and sit on the TV studio’s floor, as shots and yelling were heard. The people, wearing balaclavas and largely dressed in black, were seen wielding large guns and accosting huddled staffers on the live feed, which eventually cut out. Ecuador’s national police commander general Cesar Zapata later said that 13 suspects were arrested and will be handed over to authorities, and that the attack will be investigated as "acts of terrorism." According to Zapata, those in custody could be linked to an organized crime group called ‘Los Tiguerones’. The incident followed the kidnappings of at least seven police officers and a series of explosions, a day after President Daniel Noboa declared a 60-day state of emergency. “Not only people are scared, they’re terrified. And it’s not surprising, they are right. How is it possible that a country that needs to create employment? Now even malls are shutting down. Can you believe that?” Local Quito resident Jose Guevara said after the TV studio takeover, as tension spread across the country’s capital. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/10214248/ecuador-tv-station-violence/ Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ Follow Global News on Twitter HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB #GlobalNews #Ecuador #Guayaquil