On September 17, 2026, Sebastián Favre, 49, was filmed wearing plaid pajamas and holding a weapon while firing at a group of capybaras in his garden at the Los Alisos neighborhood in Nordelta, Argentina. The incident, which was captured in multiple videos by local residents and later incorporated into a formal police investigation, has reignited long-standing divisions among residents over the presence of wildlife in the gated community. The footage, shared on social media and by the protection group La Voz de los Carpinchos on Instagram, includes a 10-second clip showing the man firing twice and aiming at a third animal, as well as a longer video where four detonations are heard while he walks by his pool. In both recordings, he aimed toward the lake bordering the property.
Investigation and Police Raids in Los Alisos
Following the circulation of the footage among residents, the Administración Vecinal Nordelta (AVN) filed a formal police complaint on September 18 with the Buenos Aires provincial police. According to Infobae, the presentation was made before the Unidad de Instrucción N°1 descentralizada de Benavidez, under the direction of prosecutor Cosme Irribarren. The penal complaint sought the immediate identification of the responsible party and the determination of environmental infractions. In response, the Buenos Aires police executed raids at lot 90 in the Los Alisos neighborhood. Authorities seized an air rifle from the residence and confiscated a pair of pants that matched the ones worn by the suspect in the community videos, as reported by La Nación. Police sources told Clarín that the raid was ordered this Monday. These actions followed reports made to the Los Alisos administration on September 17 by neighbors who clearly saw the suspect’s actions in the recordings.
Did You Know? The suspect, Sebastián Favre, is a 49-year-old Argentine citizen with a background in the commercial airline industry who worked for the national flag carrier until 2022. He is also described as a former airplane pilot.
Suspect faces animal cruelty charges and witness intimidation
The judiciary initially classified the case as an alleged instance of animal cruelty. Additional charges could be added depending on whether the suspect lacked proper authorization for the weapon, alongside separate accusations from residents regarding threats made to silence witnesses. An investigation source told La Nación that the suspect pressured multiple neighbors not to testify after learning he had been reported. Meanwhile, the homeowner did not respond to phone calls or messages from reporters seeking comment by the close of the edition. According to neighborhood testimonies, this was not the first time Favre had fired at capybaras, nor was it the only such episode in the area. The suspect was notified of the animal cruelty case, with the complaint stating he fired to scare animals away from his garden.
The AVN stated that it provided all evidentiary material and relevant information to the justice system, noting that the safety of neighbors and biodiversity protection are “non-negotiable priorities.”
Activists monitor situation as wildlife faces habitat pressure
The Asociación Vecinal Nordelta issued a statement emphasizing that community harmony and wildlife respect are foundational to the city’s identity. Environmental groups have also reacted to the incident. Silvia Soto, a representative for animal protection groups defending capybara habitats in Nordelta, told TN that activists are closely monitoring the situation amid ongoing legal injunctions concerning the animals. Soto added that wildlife is being cornered due to population growth and claimed there is no active plan to remove fences so animals can reach the coast. Manuel Jaramillo, General Director of the Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina, explained to Infobae that capybaras are native South American herbivores that live freely in their natural habitat and may occupy private spaces occasionally without indicating a population surge. Nordelta administration previously explained that there were approximately 900 specimens within the development.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the shooting incident take place in Nordelta?
The incident occurred on September 17, 2026, in the Los Alisos neighborhood within the Nordelta residential development in Tigre.
What legal charges does the suspect face?
The judiciary initially framed the case as suspected animal cruelty, with potential additional charges regarding weapons possession and witness intimidation.
What items did police seize during the raids?
During the operation at lot 90 in Los Alisos, the Buenos Aires police seized an air rifle and a pair of pants matching those worn in the viral video recordings.
The judicial investigation must still determine exactly what happened during the filmed events and establish legal responsibilities for the shots fired toward the lake.
