Friday, February 21, 2025 - Santiago, Chile.

A fatal incident occurred at a pharmacy in the Cerrillos commune, Metropolitan Region, where the owner of the store confronted an attempted robbery.

In response, he pulled out a firearm and injured the alleged robber (a Chilean man, an adult with no criminal record) multiple times, resulting in his death.

According to footage from the store's cameras, the individual arrived wearing a mask and glasses. After speaking with the store owner, he jumped over the counter, pulled out a knife, and lunged at the owner with the apparent intent of stealing goods or money.

Following this, the other person drew a gun and fired "around five or six shots at the criminal," said Lieutenant Colonel Marcelino Espinoza Moya, deputy prefect of the Santiago Rinconada Prefecture.

Although the individual identified as the alleged robber got up and left the premises to be taken to a nearby medical center by people passing by, he died a few minutes later.

The public prosecutor for flagrancy at the Regional Western Prosecutor's Office, Javiera Inostroza Diez, added that the weapon used for defense is registered, but in the name of the deceased's father, the store owner's father, and it is currently in the process of being regularized.

"Initially, we believe this is a case of self-defense... unless there is another significant piece of evidence that changes the situation, the person is considered the victim," the prosecutor said.

However, she added that while the evidence points to self-defense, "it is not permissible to use a weapon that is not registered in the name of the person or at the appropriate location," so further investigations will continue.