By Andrew Hoxha 
Tuesday night, a tragedy rocked the commune of La Pintana when an 18-year-old mother was killed by a stray bullet while she was standing in her home’s doorway. The incident happened in the midst of a shootout on a public street between rival gangs.
The testimony of the victim’s family and neighbors, who are still struggling to cope with the loss, was presented during this morning’s coverage of the dramatic event on the morning show Contigo En La Mañana. The young woman, identified as Florencia M., was shot in the chest while she was carrying her infant outside her house. Sadly, she passed away a few minutes after being taken to Padre Hurtado Hospital.
She merely hoped that some fresh air would help the infant sleep. Nobody anticipated that the shooting would begin at that precise moment. It wasn’t for her. Her mother, who saw what happened, recalled it with tears in her eyes: “It wasn’t for anyone.”
According to her family, the victim was a responsible, committed young woman who was entirely focused on raising her 9-month-old son. She was unconnected to any criminal organizations and had no criminal history. Her passing has provoked intense community outrage and raised awareness of the gun violence that is afflicting the nation’s most vulnerable areas.
Claudio Orrego, the mayor of La Pintana, apologized and called on the government to take decisive action to stop the violence:
“We cannot allow our neighborhoods to become combat zones where a young mother is killed by a bullet that wasn’t even intended for her. This is neglect, not just insecurity.
In remembrance of Florencia, the people of La Pintana have called for a vigil this afternoon, calling for justice and increased safety for its citizens. Residents attempt to draw attention to a reality that, while commonplace for many, is still disregarded by the authorities by hanging banners that read, “No more stray bullets” and “We want to live in peace.”
The victim’s maternal grandmother, who has asked for help and psychological support to help him deal with this difficult time, is still caring for the victim’s young son. According to the grandmother, “the baby won’t understand now, but one day he’ll have to know that his mother died senselessly… and that no one protected her.”
The case of Florencia reopens a deep wound in Chile: impunity, structural violence, and the absence of effective safeguards for innocent people in underprivileged neighborhoods. Another victim of a war she did not choose was a young mother who hoped for a peaceful future for her son.