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Tragedy as teen shot dead while celebrating her 15th birthday

A teenage girl who could not afford to throw a party for her 15th birthday was shot and killed when she went with her brother to a friend's gathering to celebrate instead.

Maria Paula Castaneda Callejas, who is from a low-income family, had decided to celebrate at another party in the Nueva Castilla neighbourhood in Ibague, in the Tolima department, located in the central-occidental area of Colombia, local media reported.

She had been accompanied by her 21-year-old brother to a party organised by other friends, which they joined about 5pm.

The teenager was reportedly shot by another woman who arrived three hours later at 8pm.

Pictured is Maria Paula Castaneda Callejas.
Maria Paula Castaneda Callejas was shot dead at a party after being unable to afford to celebrate her 15th birthday. Source: Newsflash/Australscope

It is unclear who the other woman was and whether she knew the teenager before shooting her.

Maria was taken critically injured to the hospital where medical staff confirmed her death.

Luisa Fernanda Garzon, one of the victim's sisters, told local news outlet El Nuevo Dia the family was still in the dark as to who would have wanted to shoot Maria or why.

Ms Fernanda Garzon said that due to the pandemic and other factors, the family did not have the resources to celebrate the girl's 15th birthday and that was why she had gone to another friend's party.

It was unclear who organised the party.

Maria Paula Castaneda Callejas is pictured. She was shot dead while celebrating her 15th birthday.
Her brother took her to another party to celebrate the birthday instead. Source: Newsflash/Australscope

Maria’s sister added the first the family knew of the tragedy was when her brother, who had not been identified, called their mum, Edith Castaneda Cardenas, to ask for the teenager’s identity card so she could get treatment.

He said she had been injured, but did not say she had been shot and said he was travelling with her to the hospital.

By the time the family arrived at the hospital, they were told the girl had died.

The Metropolitan Police of Ibague reported the investigation was now in the hands of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

No one has been arrested over the shooting and the investigation continues.

– Australscope

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