11-year-old boy kills younger child with mother's police firearm in Rosario: investigation into parents
An 11-year-old boy shot and killed another child, aged 12, with his mother's regulation police firearm in Rosario, Colonia. The police headquarters are investigating the parents' responsibility.
Colonia police headquarters opens inquiry following child's death in Rosario
The Colonia Police Headquarters ordered an urgent administrative investigation after an 11-year-old boy shot and killed another child, aged 12, with his mother's regulation police firearm on Sunday in the city of Rosario. This was reported by montevideo.com.uy.
Colonia's Police Chief, Paulo Costa, confirmed on Monday at a press conference that the internal investigation had already been requested and would, in principle, result in a formal inquiry to determine the corresponding administrative responsibilities. "We have requested an urgent investigation. In this case it will almost certainly result in a formal inquiry," Costa stated.
The shooting has no criminal consequences for the child who discharged the weapon. Uruguayan law establishes criminal liability from the age of 13 onwards, which is why the case fell under the jurisdiction of the Family Court. "We are in the midst of the investigation, but this is not a criminal matter, by virtue of the fact that the Code of Childhood and Adolescence establishes criminal liability from the age of 13, and we are talking about an 11-year-old minor who fired a firearm and took the life of another minor aged 12," the official stated.
The line of investigation points to the adults responsible for the child. "Direct responsibility lies with the child's parents, and I believe the investigation is heading in that direction, seeking to establish parental responsibility," Costa said.
The police chief also expressed his regret regarding the institutional link to the weapon: "We are deeply saddened, particularly because there is a police officer responsible in this case. We responded to the incident itself as we always do, in accordance with protocols."
Officers from the Scientific Police, the Public Prosecutor's office, and a forensic doctor attended the scene. Costa indicated that an autopsy of the victim was being carried out on Monday to advance the investigation.
Source: Google News UY — Montevideo