Chile police shootings spark investigations into legitimacy and internal death case

A 29‑year‑old man was killed after a Carabineros officer fired at his vehicle during a traffic stop in the Independencia district of Santiago early Thursday. Prosecutors say the officer may have acted in legitimate self‑defence after the driver appeared to reach for a weapon. The case is being examined by the Police Investigations Dept. (PDI) homicide brigade.

In a separate incident, Carabineros Sergeant Javier Figueroa died from a gunshot wound on 11 March. New testimonies revealed conflicting theories – suicide, as suggested by three calls from Figueroa’s phone, or a planned homicide supported by forensic DNA evidence and signs of a struggle. The investigation continues amid calls for clarity on the circumstances of his death.