Masked men attacked a gold mine in Puno in Peru killing four in the assault on Saturday evening. Six others were wounded when the attackers stormed the small scale gold mine in the city of La Rinconada with long range rifles.
According to the Police 10 hooded members of a gang attacked the La Rinchoda mine. The city is about 1,300 kilometers away from the capital of Peru, Lima. It is located about 16,700 feet above sea level and is considered the highest city in the world.
After the attack locals from Ananea began searching for the gang and conducted various acts of vandalism including stoning the local police station and setting on fire a night club where they believed the attackers were hiding.
The police had to use tear gas to disperse the protestors. There has been increased activity of criminal groups operating in the region in the Andean plateaus.
The "wild west" environment at Ananea make the place a paradise for those seeking to escape the presence of law and order, says local peace judge Julián Turpo.