Gustavo Adolfo “Tavo” Aguilar Gamarro, a 45-year-old public information assistant for the National Judo Federation of Guatemala, was killed alongside former prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa during a shooting at the Campo Marte sports complex in Zone 5 of Guatemala City, La Hora reported.

A Life Dedicated to Public Service and Judo

Aguilar Gamarro worked as an administrative assistant at the federation while quietly pursuing his own ambitions on the mat. He trained in the night classes led by sensei José Ramos, spending his evenings sharpening throws and building camaraderie with fellow athletes. At the time of his death, he was actively preparing for a specific promotional milestone within the sport: earning his blue belt. Colleagues remember him not just for his administrative duties, but for a steady willingness to help others inside and outside the office.

Tributes and the Symbolic Blue Belt Ceremony

During his wake, family members, coworkers, and members of the local judo community gathered to honor Aguilar Gamarro. In a poignant tribute led by sensei José Ramos, training partners presented the blue belt he had been striving for, placing it directly onto his casket alongside photographs and floral offerings. The National Judo Federation released a statement noting that his consistent readiness to assist and his deep affection for the sport will remain with everyone who shared the path with him.

The Investigation and Continuing Fallout

The Oct. 17 attack at Campo Marte claimed two lives, instantly halting athletic routines and sending shockwaves through Guatemala’s legal and sports communities due to the high-profile death of Solórzano Foppa. Relatives of the former prosecutor have publicly highlighted a history of violence affecting their family, drawing intense scrutiny from investigators as authorities work to piece together the sequence of events that led to the shooting on the capital city’s athletic fields.