Mother of Puerto Rican Olympian Shot, Killed by Stray Bullet from Dispute, Police Say
The mother of a two-time Olympian was shot and killed by a stray bullet inside her home in Waterbury, Connecticut, on Saturday, via Dave Collins of the Associated Press.
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said there was a drug-related dispute outside the home of Mabel Martinez, which led to the open firing of more than 20 gunshots. The 56-year-old was shot in the head as an unintended victim.
One man involved in the dispute was shot in the hip but survived.
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Martinez was the mother of Yarimar Mercado Martinez, who represented Puerto Rico in the 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics in rifle shooting. She finished 28th in the 50-meter rifle competition in Tokyo last summer.
"There are so many things I still needed to learn from you," she wrote in Spanish in a Facebook post (via CBS News). "I was so far away without being able to do anything, I couldn't even say goodbye to you."
The athlete was in Brazil preparing for an international competition, but she flew back to Connecticut on Sunday.
