Brit shot dead in Argentina protecting stepson from moped bandits

A British tourist has been shot dead while trying to protect his stepson from armed robbers who ambushed them in Argentina.

The pair have been named in local media as Matthew Charles Gibrand, 50, and Stefan Joshua Zone, 28.

Police told local media they believe two moped bandits followed them and four other relatives from Ezeiza Airport outside Buenos Aires to the five-star Faena Hotel in the capital.

CCTV footage shows the moment the family were ambushed as they got out of the cab at around 11am on Saturday.

Matthew and Stefan are seen trying to fight off the robbers until one pulls out a gun.

The full clip cannot be published for legal reasons, but he then appears to shoot Stefan, who writhes in pain clutching his thigh.

Matthew tries to come to his rescue but is then shot by the robbers.

Police told local media that Matthew went into cardiac arrest after a bullet entered his right armpit and reached his chest.

He died in hospital before surgeons could operate.

Stefan was said to be in a serious but stable condition after the bullet missed an artery.

Hotel staff contacted by Argentine media agency Télam refused to comment on what happened or if the family are guests staying there.

The attack follows a similar pattern of robberies where tourists are attacked when entering hotels, investigators added.

In December 2018 a Swedish tourist lost his leg after being shot on his way to a hotel by a man demanding his phone.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: ‘We are supporting the family of two British men following an incident in Buenos Aires, and are in contact with the local authorities there.’

More than 111,000 Brits visited Argentina last year and most visits are trouble free, according to the government.

Travel advice says distraction thefts, pick-pocketing and street robberies are the most common form of crime there.

It warns that thieves posing as hotel guests are known to snatch bags while tourists are checking into hotels.

Additional reporting by Gerard Couzens