Man dies two years after being struck by stray bullet

Santiago, Sep 30 (IANS/EFE) A 23-year-old Chilean man died after two years in a persistent vegetative state as a result of being shot in the head unintentionally by a law enforcement officer during a student protest in October 2012, his family said Monday.

Angelo Estrada, who died Sunday at his home in Peñaflor, 40 km southwest of Santiago, was hit by the stray bullet while observing the conflict in the street from his fourth-floor apartment in downtown Santiago.

Estrada, a physical education student, died from the stray bullet fired that day by Jorge Retamal from inside a van of the Gendarmeria prison guard service, which was driving around the area to disperse the young protesters who at that moment were clashing with police.

Estrada's parents consider the shot a regrettable accident, and say that Retamal was always concerned about the state of their son's health.

Following the fatal outcome of the shooting, the charge pending against Retamal is expected to be changed to involuntary manslaughter.

--IANS/EFE

ab/