An armed robbery resulted in the death of Alezka Thalia Manrique Castillo, a 27-year-old Peruvian singer, early Monday morning, November 4, in Bagua Grande, Peru. The attack took place on her band’s tour bus following a performance at a local venue.
Known by her stage name Thalia Castillo, she was shot while attempting to hide in the tour bus bathroom. The bus was carrying the members of the Hermanos Guerreros orchestra, the musical group she was part of.
As Ingrid Vallejo, another band member, explained, six armed assailants stopped the vehicle around 5 a.m. while the band was returning from a performance at San Martín de Porres.
“My partner wanted to go into the bus bathroom in her instinct to protect herself and the moment she was there, the shot went off,” Vallejo stated.
The attackers then forced the driver from the bus and physically assaulted other band members. They shot Manrique Castillo in the leg and back before removing her from the vehicle and leaving her in a roadside ditch, while instructing other members of the band to stay down.
The assailants fled with the band’s musical instruments and earnings from their performance. Manrique Castillo died from her injuries while being transported to Santiago Apóstol Hospital.
Jair Enrique Manrique, the deceased singer’s brother, reported to RPP radio that the Peru National Police had identified the assailants and were waiting for arrest warrants.
Walter Ángeles González, owner of the Hermanos Guerrero orchestra, confirmed that the authorities had potentially identified suspects. However, they are withholding information to avoid any flight risks. This is the first such incident for the band.
Manrique Castillo had joined the band two months before the incident. She was set to complete her business administration degree this month and is survived by her two children, including a nine-year-old son.
“Thalia was a person full of joy, always with a smile,” Vallejo told Radio Exitosa. “Her talent and dedication to music made her special.”
The incident has caused a stir in Peru’s music community, with Grupo 5 expressing their concerns over security in the country through an official statement.
In late November 2024, Peruvian authorities apprehended individuals suspected of the fatal shooting. The arrests were made by the police in the Amazonas region, targeting alleged members of the criminal gang “Los Sanguinarios de la Cumbia,” known for violent activities.
The suspects are believed to be responsible for the armed robbery that led to Manrique Castillo’s death.
Following the arrests Ángeles expressed concerns about ongoing threats. He revealed that the group continues to be a victim of extortion, stating, “They released two involved in the murder of Thalia Castillo.” Ángeles admitted fear for the safety of the band members and highlighted the challenges they face in seeking justice.
