Chilean journalist Francisca Sandoval, 30, hospitalized since she was shot in the head while covering the May 1 demonstrations in Santiago, died on Thursday (12). The reporter for the community vehicle Señal 3 de La Victoria was one of three people injured by firearms at the time.
Police investigation points out that the projectiles were fired by members of a criminal group that dominates the street commerce in the Meiggs neighborhood and would also be involved in the exploitation of immigrants. Last week, three accused of having participated in the shooting at the demonstration were detained; one of them, Marcelo Naranjo, 41, is pointed out as the probable author of the shooting at the journalist.
During the May 1 march convened by the Workers’ Central of the Estación Central commune, incidents were reported when protesters decided to set up barricades entering shops and confronting shopkeepers. It would have been at that moment that the criminals shot and hit Francisca Sandoval.
According to the doctor in charge of the treatment, the journalist had a cerebral hemorrhage and presented an unstable clinical condition since arriving at the hospital.
Shortly after the confirmation of the death, this Thursday morning, the president of Chile, Gabriel Boric, expressed his condolences to the family of the professional, whom he described as an innocent victim of criminals. “We will not allow impunity in any case,” the leftist wrote on his Twitter account.
“Violence damages democracy and affects families irreparably. Our commitment is to security and justice, and we will not rest.”
The station where the reporter worked also regretted the death. “Francisca did not leave us, she was murdered. With these words we confirm the death of dear Fran. We will miss her and do our best to find the truth,” she said in a statement.
Also on Thursday, a group of journalism students protested in front of the hospital where the professional died, to denounce what they call a violation of human rights and threats to press freedom. The place has become a point of demonstrations, sometimes violent, since the journalist was hospitalized.
During the 12 days, the Chilean press reported barricades in the vicinity of the institution, in addition to vandalism at a service station and looting of two pharmacies. The movement even bothered hospital workers, who held an act on Wednesday (11) asking for more security measures.
In an interview with Señal 3, the journalist’s family thanked them for their solidarity, but asked the protesters to calm down. “Let there be no incidents and confrontations outside the hospital. This is an express request from her family, so we expect the respect of all those who come to express their affection,” she said.
