French photographer stabbed to death in Retiro neighbourhood

A French photographer was stabbed to death this morning in the city neighbourhood of Retiro, after thieves tried to steal his camera while he was walking in the area. The incident took place next to the Malvinas monument, located in San Martín square.

The man was identified as Laurent Schwebel and according to initial reports was in Buenos Aires on holiday. Officials at the scene found a card on the man's body which proved Schwebel was a nature photographer.

The 52-year-old man was murdered at around 8 am this morning, in the central square and according to witnesses at the scene, the perpetrators of the crime live in the area.

Police sources stated that the victim was stabbed in the chest, after notably tackling his oppressor. Witnesses at the scene, however, stated that the man was stabbed around six times.

Head of the SAME emergency service Alberto Crescenti assured that the ambulance “took four minutes to arrive to the scene of the crime, after 911 was called, however when paramedics reviewed the patient, he was already dead. He died from having been stabbed in the chest.”

Sources informed that Schwebel was staying in the Lafayette Hotel, located along Reconquista street at 500 in the centre of the Capital. It was also reported that at 7.30 am the photographer had left the hotel after having breakfast to go for a walk, and later at midday planned to leave for Jorge Newbery Metropolitan airport.

Officials were working at the intersection of Libertador Avenue and San Martín street in order to further investigate the case.

Earlier this morning, Federal Police detained a man in connection to the crime.

Schwebel contributed photographs to nature websites and was a world traveller and adventurer.