La Plata teen elite shooter seized in police raid sparks debate

Police in La Plata, Argentina, executed a court‑ordered raid on a house in the San Carlos neighbourhood after Instagram videos showed a 16‑year‑old practicing shooting. Officers confiscated 25 firearms and more than 6,700 rounds of ammunition and charged the teenager and his father with public intimidation.

The family says the minor is not a gun enthusiast but an elite practical‑shooting (IPSC) athlete who represents Argentina internationally. He placed eighth at the recent world championship in Thailand and is slated to compete in a tournament in Greece from 21 September to 4 October. The father is an instructor, and the seized weapons were reportedly registered. The seizure has left the teenager without equipment for training, prompting legal action to recover the gear. The case has sparked public debate over the proportionality and conduct of preventive police operations.