On Tuesday afternoon, an extremely violent incident occurred in downtown Maldonado, when a 58-year-old retired military officer killed his 13-year-old daughter at an interdisciplinary clinic and then shot himself in the head. The teenager had gone there for a speech therapy consultation and was attacked by her father, who tried to remove her by force.
The retired colonel entered the building armed and, after the girl refused, fired several shots, killing her. The man then shot himself in the head, leaving him in critical condition. He was taken to a health center but died hours later from his serious injuries.
Family context and judicial custody
The teenager was in the custody of the man's ex-partner by court order. According to the National Institute for Children and Adolescents of Uruguay (INAU), the minor was in the process of being placed in a home run by the agency.
The case has an international component: the young woman had been transferred from Uganda by her father, who lived in Uruguay, while her biological mother remained in that African country. The situation created a complex framework regarding the custody and protection of the minor, which ultimately led to judicial intervention and the appointment of a caretaker.
The police and judicial investigation
Maldonado Police Chief Víctor Trezza provided the first details to the press. He explained that Forensic Police personnel conducted a survey of the scene and that the investigation is ongoing. "This is a shocking event that touches us deeply, because it involves a teenager who was under protective measures," he said.
The Maldonado Prosecutor's Office, along with specialized teams, is working to reconstruct the events. One of the central points of the investigation will be to determine how the man was able to enter the interdisciplinary center armed and what restraining orders were imposed on him.
Impact on the educational community
The school the teenager attended announced it will remain closed Wednesday in mourning. The school's administration expressed its solidarity with the girl's family and the surrounding community, emphasizing the need to provide psychological support to students and teachers.
INAU also reported that psychosocial support teams will be available to support those most affected by the incident.
Background and concern about domestic violence
The case once again highlights concerns about domestic and gender-based violence in Uruguay. Social organizations and specialists emphasized the need to strengthen prevention, early intervention, and protection policies for children and adolescents at risk.
The involvement of a retired military officer in an incident of this magnitude also raises a debate about access to firearms and the need for stricter controls. Uruguay has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region, and experts warn that such availability increases the risk of family tragedies.
Shock and calls for justice
The news caused a stir in Maldonado and across the country. Neighbors near the interdisciplinary center where the incident occurred described moments of despair upon hearing the gunshots and seeing the police presence.
This incident adds to a series of recent episodes of domestic violence that have raised alarms in the child and adolescent protection system. Various organizations have called for this case to serve to strengthen measures to prevent, control, and monitor risk situations, with the goal of avoiding further tragedies.
