THIS is the horrifying moment gang members shoot up an unsuspecting crowd at a cockfighting ring – executing 12 spectators.

The deranged criminals donned fake military uniforms while they unleashed terror an innocent pack of locals in Ecuador on Thursday.

Shocking footage showed the moment at least five men black-clad with counterfeit military uniforms entered an arena.

All seems normal, with dozens of game-watchers sat together on rows of multicoloured seats.

The vile criminals appear to lurk on the top level of the stadium, seemingly surveying the area before they carry out the sickening act.

They then shoot up the peaceful event and run onto the scene with automatic rifles.

Terrified spectators realise what is happening and appear to duck down for cover.

In a hurried panic many fall to the ground and some appear to run away.

12 people were killed and additional viewers were injured according to cops, who did not specify how many.

Local reports claimed that the gang escaped with $20,000 in the bag after the horrific attack.

Criminal gangs dressed up as soldiers before launching attacks is a common tactic used by thugs, according to CBS News.

In a police statement, colonel Renan Miller Rivera confirmed: “We have 12 people deceased as a result of an armed attack by a criminal group.”

Since the brutal assault, cops said they have arrested four people.

They described one of them as a “target of immediate value”.

According to local officials, the four suspects belong to an organised criminal group named “Los R7”.

Cops claim they recovered the sick group’s thrown away uniforms and abandoned getaway cars.

One of these cars had been overturned while the other was set alight.

Breakthrough footage from the police showed them raiding a forest and recovering evidence from the gang.

They showed weapons, cash and other damning evidence under tree branches and bags.

Police also showed a picture of the four suspects in custody but blurred their faces.

In total, eight rifles, four pistols, three shotguns, eight magazines, 11 cell phones, ballistic helmets and tactical gloves were found.

Ecuador is rifled with gang violence, and home to an estimated 20 criminal gangs involved in kidnapping, drug trafficking and extortion.

It sits wedged between the two biggest cocaine producers worldwide – Peru and Colombia.

The country of about 18 million people has been plagued by violence and the spread of transnational cartels for years.