Popular singer shot dead by hitmen in Peru, prompting state of emergency in capital over extortion killings

Peru announced a state of emergency late Sunday in the capital Lima over a wave of killings linked to extortion.

The move came after singer Paul Flores was shot dead by hitmen who attacked a bus he was riding with bandmates as they left a concert outside Lima, officials said.

Peru's culture ministry paid tribute to Flores on social media, saying the lead singer of the popular group Armonía 10 "won the hearts of thousands of Peruvians."