Bartolome Bautista, 33, and Oscar Archaga, 38, were killed Tuesday night by unknown assailants, Atlantida Hospital director Leda Amador told reporters.

The two men, who lived in a town on the Honduran stretch of the Mosquito coast, were admitted to the hospital last Saturday after being hurt in a still-unexplained violent episode that left two other people dead.

Bautista and Archaga were airlifted to La Ceiba by a charitable organization.

A police source suggested to journalists that Bautista and Archaga may have had some connection to drug trafficking, as their murders bore the hallmarks of organized crime.

Police officers posted at Atlantida Hospital to protect the two wounded men were away from their posts eating dinner at the time of Tuesday night’s attack, according to media accounts.

Bautista – who had casts on both legs – was shot in his bed, while Archaga was gunned down as he tried to climb out a window, police said.