Two missionaries serving in the Bolivia LaPaz Mission were assassinated by terrorists late Wednesday, May 24, as they were returning to their apartment in LaPaz.
Elders Jeffrey Brent Ball, 20, and Elder Todd Ray Wilson, 20, were gunned down by automatic weapons fire about 10:20 p.m. Bolivia time (8:20 MST).Elder Ball was the son of Alfred Brent and Lois Joyce Bates Ball of the Wanship Ward, Coalville Utah Stake. He entered the Missionary Training Center last June. Elder Wilson, who entered the Missionary Training Center last July, was the son of Arvil Ray and Elaine Bunderson Wilson of the Wellington 3rd Ward, Wellington Utah Stake.
Newspapers in LaPaz said a group identified as Armed Forces of Liberation has claimed responsibility for the slayings.
"We are heartbroken at this terrible tragedy that has occurred," said Mission Pres. Steven Rich Wright. "It's a terrible unprovoked attack on innocent victims who have nothing to do with the political and social philosophies of this or any other group."
Pres. Wright said the missionaries were apparently chosen at random. A small, yellow compact car drove by the complex, firing into a crowd with 9 mm weapons.
The mission president was notified of the shooting incident by another missionary, who also lives in the apartment complex, and immediately went to the scene. One of the elders died immediately; the other died 10 to 20 minutes later en route to a local hospital.
American officials at the U.S. embassy in LaPaz were meeting May 25 to discuss the shooting.
