Police investigate murder of two Colombian journalists

Police are investigating the murder of two Colombian journalists after they were fatally shot by an assailant on a motorcycle while they were traveling on a highway in the northern part of the country, authorities reported on Sunday.

Leiner Montero, the director of an online ration station, and Dilia Contreras, the director of an online news website, were killed in the department of Magdalena when they were returning from festivities in the nearby village of Santa Rosa de Lima.

According to a preliminary investigation by police, Montero had gotten into a fight with several others at the village, while they were covering a street festival.

"After this act of intolerance, the journalist decided to leave in his car alongside Dilia and another man, and on the way, they were killed," the officer told reporters.

The third person who was in the car was wounded by the gunshots, but it is unknown whether he is from the same profession.

"We are committed to the citizens of Magdalena to resolve in the shortest possible time this sad case involving two journalists who were highly appreciated among their union, family, and acquaintances," he added.

While it is unknown if their murder is related to their profession, police are taking into account their work.

According to the Free Press Foundation, 786 journalists in Colombia have suffered some kind of violence or murder due to their profession. The violence against reports has made the South American country Latin America’s third most dangerous place for journalists, according to Reporters without Borders.