11-year-old boy shoots and kills younger child with police-issued firearm in Rosario, Colonia: mother under investigation
An 11-year-old boy shot and killed another child aged 12 with his mother's police-issued firearm in Rosario, Colonia. The police authority launched an urgent administrative investigation.
Administrative investigation into death of minor in Rosario, Colonia
According to Google News UY — Montevideo, the Colonia Police Authority ordered an urgent administrative investigation following the incident that occurred on Sunday in the city of Rosario: an 11-year-old boy killed another 12-year-old with a single shot using his mother's regulation firearm, his mother being a police officer.
The head of Colonia Police, Paulo Costa, confirmed on Monday at a press conference that the internal investigation had already been requested and that, in principle, "will almost certainly end in a formal inquiry" to determine any potential administrative responsibilities.
The case is not being processed through the criminal system with respect to the minor who fired the shot. Costa explained that Uruguayan legislation establishes criminal liability from the age of 13 onwards, meaning the 11-year-old cannot be charged criminally. "We are talking about an 11-year-old minor who fired a firearm and took the life of another 12-year-old minor," said the police chief.
For that reason, the case file fell under the jurisdiction of the Family Court, the competent authority when there is no criminal charge.
The investigation is aimed at determining the responsibility of the adults in charge of the minor. "Direct responsibility lies with his parents, his mother and father, and I believe the line of investigation is heading in that direction," Costa stated.
The police chief expressed regret that the firearm involved belonged to a member of the police force. "We are deeply saddened, given that there is a police officer responsible for the case," he said, and added that the operational response followed standard protocols.
Scientific Police, police officers, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and a forensic doctor intervened at the scene. Costa also reported that on Monday an autopsy of the victim was being carried out to help determine the circumstances of the incident.
Source: Google News UY — Montevideo