Pulitzer Centre on Crisis Reporting
During the 36 years of the Guatemalan Civil War,
more than 200,000 people died before the government and leftist rebels
made peace in 1996. Since then, Guatemala has been rocked by violent
drug traffickers and street gangs. With almost 6,000 Guatemalans slain
each year — nearly the same annual death toll of the civil war — the
Guatemalan murder rate is one of the highest in the world. The
repercussions of the war continue, particularly for Guatemala’s youth.
One of these young people is a 14-year-old boy named Michael René Coyoy Hernandez. Michael was shot six times by teenage perpetrators who drove by on a motorcycle and opened fire on him.
I first encountered Michael at the crime scene. He was covered with a white plastic garbage bag. His stiff hands looked like he was trying to shield his face from the gunshots. Although he was only 14, Michael already worked as a ticket taker on the red buses in Guatemala City. His family members eventually arrived at the crime scene to claim his body and watch over him as the detectives collected evidence. It struck me that although they were devastated by the loss, they were not surprised, as he had been threatened shortly before his death. In Guatemala, violence is so endemic, even children as young as 14 are targeted.
I have photographed many crimes against teenagers, and some fade away, while others have been etched in my memory. I will always remember Michael.
One of these young people is a 14-year-old boy named Michael René Coyoy Hernandez. Michael was shot six times by teenage perpetrators who drove by on a motorcycle and opened fire on him.
I first encountered Michael at the crime scene. He was covered with a white plastic garbage bag. His stiff hands looked like he was trying to shield his face from the gunshots. Although he was only 14, Michael already worked as a ticket taker on the red buses in Guatemala City. His family members eventually arrived at the crime scene to claim his body and watch over him as the detectives collected evidence. It struck me that although they were devastated by the loss, they were not surprised, as he had been threatened shortly before his death. In Guatemala, violence is so endemic, even children as young as 14 are targeted.
I have photographed many crimes against teenagers, and some fade away, while others have been etched in my memory. I will always remember Michael.
Pulitzer Center grantee Carlos Javier Ortiz has been documenting gun violence in Guatemala and Chicago for his project: “Too Young to Die.” View more slideshows and read more stories from Carlos here.
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