FATAL BRAWL OUTSIDE DISCOTHEQUE IN SALADOBLANCO LEADS TO ONE DEAD AND ANOTHER CRITICALLY INJURED

What began as an evening of music, drinks, and social gathering inside a rural commercial venue turned into a tragic outbreak of violence in southern Colombia. A massive fight resulted in the death of Rómulo Buitrago Rojas due to gunshot wounds, while another local resident remains fighting for his life in intensive care following severe injuries sustained during the confrontation.

The event occurred late Saturday night at approximately 11:50 p.m. right outside the Invictus discotheque, situated in the rural settlement of Vereda Gramalote, within the municipality of Saladoblanco, Department of Huila, Colombia. According to initial findings gathered by law enforcement officials, a dispute erupted among several patrons inside the establishment for reasons that remain under investigation.

Preliminary reports indicate that the incident escalated rapidly as multiple individuals confronted each other using bladed and blunt weapons. Video footage recorded by patrons and shared across social media networks captured moments of extreme tension, physical struggles, and mutual aggression both inside and outside the facility.

As the conflict spilled out onto the public roadway, gunfire was discharged amid the chaos. During the shooting, local farmer Rómulo Buitrago Rojas suffered grave injuries. Bystanders immediately provided assistance and transferred him to the E.S.E. Hospital Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes in Saladoblanco. However, due to the severity of his condition, emergency medical staff ordered his urgent transfer to the regional Hospital Departamental San Antonio de Pitalito. Despite medical efforts, he arrived at the referral hospital without vital signs, where physicians officially confirmed his passing.

"The confrontation left one citizen dead and another critically injured in ICU under a reserved medical prognosis."

A second victim, identified as César Gómez, suffered severe trauma during the brawl. Medical sources confirmed that he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at the Hospital Departamental San Antonio de Pitalito, where he remains under close observation with a reserved prognosis.

Following the tragedy, officers from the National Police arrived at the scene to initiate judicial procedures, collect testimonies, and review digital evidence to identify all active participants. In response, the Municipal Administration of Saladoblanco, in coordination with local law enforcement, enforced an administrative order to seal and close the establishment indefinitely to prevent further public order disruptions. Authorities noted that a similar fatal shooting occurred at the exact same venue in late June 2026, when 24-year-old Jefferson Ramos Méndez lost his life.