Potosí prosecutors investigate death during police pursuit

The Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the death of 44-year-old Simón B. Q. during a police pursuit in Cotagaita, Potosí. The incident occurred in the early hours of August 7, 2026, at approximately 01:30.

The pursuit was initiated after reports of a vehicle traveling at high speeds from Tupiza toward Cotagaita. According to authorities, the driver ignored orders to stop, prompting a police alert and subsequent operation. The victim died from hypovolemic shock caused by internal bleeding, lung laceration, and a penetrating gunshot wound to the chest.

Departmental Prosecutor Gonzalo Aparicio Mendoza stated that the investigation is being conducted with strict objectivity. Authorities are currently collecting evidence, including police reports, witness testimonies, and official records, to determine the exact circumstances of the death and whether there was any disproportionate use of force or negligence by the officers involved.