A vigilante group out to punish fugitive drug lord Pablo Escobar kidnapped and killed an Escobar lawyer and his 16-year-old son Friday in Medellin, the radio network Caracol said.
The killings were in apparent revenge for a car bomb explosion Thursday that killed at least 11 people and wounded more than 200 in a shopping center in Bogota. Some reports say up to 15 died.Fifteen gunmen dragged Guido Parro, 51, and his son from their condominium apartment, Caracol said, citing a police report.
The bodies were found in the trunk of a stolen taxi. Atop them was a sign reading, "What do you think of the trade for the bombing in Bogota, Pablo?"
Another sign said, "You were kidnapped because of your work for Pablo Escobar." That note was signed the Pepes, a Spanish acronym for the vigilante group that calls itself People Persecuted by Pablo Escobar.
The Pepes have been killing people linked to the cartel and have been bombing and burning Escobar properties since February, going into action each time the cartel is suspected of exploding a bomb.
Escobar has been setting off bombs throughout Colombia in an apparent attempt to make the government call off its manhunt for him. The cocaine billionaire broke jail on July 22 after surrendering to authorities in June 1991.
Police believe the Pepes also are behind the Thursday night bombings of three ranch homes outside Medellin, the cartel's headquarters city. The homes reportedly were owned by Escobar associates.
Police say the Pepes murdered Medellin lawyer Raul Zapata last month because of his work for cartel lieutenants.