No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaUS man shot, killed outside Jacó club

US man shot, killed outside Jacó club

Updated at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29

A 38-year-old U.S. man was killed in the Pacific beach town of Jacó outside of a club early Wednesday morning, according to the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ). A friend confirmed the man was John Lonergan of Florida.

OIJ’s head of operations Michael Soto Rojas said Lonergan left the club with a woman at around 4:20 in the morning.

They were hailing a taxi when a man approached them and offered them drugs, Soto said. The couple declined and got in the taxi.

The man who tried to sell them drugs, who has yet to be identified, opened the door and tried to drag the woman out of the car, according to OIJ.

A fight brewed and the unidentified man pulled a gun and shot Lonergan twice. He died in a local clinic, according to OIJ. The gunman fled and had yet to be captured as of Wednesday evening.

Lonergan left behind a wife and two children, ages 3 and 13, according to his friend, who wished not to be identified.

Follow wordpress-257819-2837440.cloudwaysapps.com for updates on this story. 

Trending Now

Costa Rica Independence Day Brings Street Closures and Afternoon Storms

If you are heading to an Independence Day parade in San José this morning, go early and keep an umbrella handy for later. Streets...

AI data center planned for Limón sits on wetlands, forest and aquifer zone

Official records show the site of the proposed Quantum AI Free Zone Campus in Limón holds three registered wetlands, forest cover, flood-prone land and part of an aquifer reserve.

Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina Win 2026 US Open Titles

Alexander Zverev and Elena Rybakina left New York as US Open champions after a championship weekend that produced two first-time winners at Flushing Meadows...

Costa Rica Supreme Court Considers Changes After Judicial Corruption Cases

Costa Rica’s Supreme Court has ordered a review of the rules judges use to determine whether suspects remain in jail or are released under restrictions as organized crime and corruption cases put new pressure on the justice system

Crabs Found Hitchhiking on Sea Snakes Off Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

A study built on specimens collected in Costa Rican waters has documented something never before recorded in the scientific literature — crabs living on...

Unusually Warm Ocean Water May Explain Mass Crab Deaths in Costa Rica

Scientists may have found an explanation for the mysterious mass deaths of crabs that washed ashore along several popular beaches in Guanacaste last month....

Costa Rica Ordered to Fix Safety Problems on Route 32

Costa Rica’s Comptroller General has ordered highway authorities to address safety problems on Route 32 after finding that seven roundabouts on the key Caribbean...

Cartago Merchants Demand Legal Basis for Independence Day Business Closures

The Cámara de Comercio de Cartago wants the closure order withdrawn and the documents behind it published, after the perimeter and closing time both shifted in under 24 hours.

Costa Rica Dollar Exchange Rate Falls to Another Record Low

The U.S. dollar has fallen to its lowest level on record against Costa Rica’s colón, extending a decline that is increasing the purchasing power...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel