Chilean diplomat's daughter shot dead by cops

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Chilean Consul in Venezuela, Fernando Berendique, right front,
 helps to carry the coffin with the remains of his daughter Karen
 to a waiting hearse. (AP)

The 19-year-old daughter of a Chilean diplomat in Venezuela was shot to death by police at a road checkpoint early Saturday.

Fernando Berendique, Chile's consul in the western city of Maracaibo, said his daughter, Karen, was riding in a vehicle with her brother and another young man when she was killed.

He said the trio ignored a command to stop by police at the checkpoint, fearing the officers might be robbers. Violent crime is widespread in Venezuela.

Venezuelan authorities said the young woman was hit by three bullets.

Twelve police officers were detained and are under investigation for their roles in her death, the Justice Ministry said in a statement. It expressed condolences to the family and pledged that those responsible would face justice.

Judicial police chief Jose Humberto Ramirez condemned the shooting saying it reflected "bad police practices."

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