Shootout Near Duarte Offices Leaves 2 Dead

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador — A shootout outside the offices of President Jose Napoleon Duarte left two people dead and at least 10 wounded today, a presidential press spokesman said.

The spokesman said Duarte was not injured in the attack and had remained in his office during the shooting.

The shooting started just before the president was to leave by motorcade to appear before the National Assembly on the other side of the city. The firing lasted about 10 minutes.

The spokesman said an attack was made on the two main entrances of the office building, but witnesses said the shooting came from confusion as detectives fired at suspected thieves.

Witnesses said presidential guards, suspecting an attack, opened fire on a bus from which the shooting was thought to have come, wounding seven passengers. The bus was carrying children from school for the deaf and passengers said they had to be pushed to the floor because they did not hear the shots.

The shooting occurred less than 24 hours after Duarte’s daughter, Ines Guadalupe Duarte Duran, was freed by rebel kidnapers in exchange for imprisoned guerrillas.