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

Dollar Stuck Near ₡450 as Costa Rica Keeps Policy Rate

The Banco Central de Costa Rica set its reference exchange rate on Wednesday at ₡449.80 for the purchase of United States dollars and ₡455.01...

Costa Rica Faces Months of Drought as El Niño Intensifies

Costa Rica doesn't take direct hurricane hits often, but this year's El Niño is playing out with the same shape as one, tracked for...

Costa Rica Opens Consular Line in Colombia as Earthquake Toll Climbs Past 70

Costa Rica's embassy has opened consular lines in Colombia after Monday's magnitude 7.4 earthquake. Seven airports are shut, Bogotá is still operating, and Avianca and LATAM are waiving change fees.

Costa Rica Runs Its National Evacuation Drill Wednesday

Costa Rica holds its eighth national evacuation drill Wednesday at 10 a.m. Here's what happens, how to take part, and what to prepare first.

Why Daniel Ortega Is Moving to Eliminate Nicaragua’s Opposition

"They will have no choice but to bark," Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega shot back in response to the wave of international condemnation sparked by...

San José’s Parque Central Closes for Six Months of Renovation

If your route through downtown San José cuts across Parque Central, you need a new one. The park closed Monday and will stay closed...

Costa Rica Faces Strong Winds, Saharan Dust and Heat

Strong trade winds, Saharan dust and unusually hot conditions will affect several parts of Costa Rica today, with gusts potentially reaching 95 km/h (59...

Guatemala’s Fuego Volcano Eruption Forces 1,700 Evacuations

A powerful eruption of Guatemala’s Fuego Volcano has forced authorities to evacuate at least 1,700 residents from areas near the crater and declare the...

Jannik Sinner Withdraws From Cincinnati Open With Knee Injury

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from the 2026 Cincinnati Open because of a right knee injury, removing another of the tournament’s biggest...
🌴 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