Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio, known for his anti-corruption stance, was killed during a campaign event in the capital Quito, Reuters reports.
Villavicencio was leaving the event when gunshots were heard, local media reported around 30 shots were fired at the event and nine other people were wounded.
The police arrested six people in connection to the incident and one suspect died from injuries sustained during a shoot-out.
Ecuador’s outgoing President Guillermo Lasso called the incident a political crime and an act of terrorism.
Lasso declared a national state of emergency and three days of mourning, vowing to ensure security ahead of the upcoming presidential election on August 20.
