Quito - Ecuador has declared a state of emergency in three provinces following a tragic shooting incident that resulted in the deaths of two people, including the mayor of a major city. President Guillermo Lasso announced the measure on Monday and paid tribute to the victims, Agustín Intriago and Ariana Estefanía Chancay.

In a solemn message on Twitter, President Lasso expressed his condolences and said that no parent should have to bury their child, and no child should grow up without their parent due to a criminal attack. He declared a state of mourning for the nation.

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting, and investigations are underway to uncover the motive behind the tragic incident.

The shooting occurred on Sunday in the port city of Manta, where Agustín Intriago, 38, had recently begun his second term as mayor in May after being reelected in February. Ariana Estefanía Chancay, a young football player for the Las Dragonas team, was also fatally wounded when she approached the mayor to talk during the incident, according to reports from El Universo newspaper.

In addition to the two fatalities, four others were injured in the attack as security officers returned fire around the mayor. As of now, the motive behind the shooting has not been disclosed.