The Chief of Police of Colón, Osmín Bardales, said their investigation found that the deaths occurred when members of the same family boarded a vehicle and were slain with machetes and AK-47 assault rifles. Bardales says the ears were severed on some of the bodies.

Of the eight killed, four were adults, and four children. One child was a 1-year-old boy, and three girls ages 7, 12 and 15. The other victims were two men and two women. Police identified one of the deceased as Manuel Antonio, 45 years old. The other seven were members of a family with the surname of Contreras, who had just moved into the community of El Regadero, Sabá.