Venezuela cops kill diplomat's daughter

CARACAS, Venezuela -- The 19-year-old daughter of a Chilean diplomat 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 police command to stop at the checkpoint, fearing the officers might be robbers. Violent crime is widespread in Venezuela, and the shooting is reigniting concerns among Venezuelans about excessive force by officers and their alleged involvement in rampant violent crime.

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, "We reject and repudiate this type of bad police practice."

Radio program host Beatriz Navas said Sunday that many Venezuelans are concerned about police abuse and officers' involvement in violent crime.

"I wouldn't have stopped and they would have killed me, too," Navas said.

She also criticized the widespread police practice in Venezuela of setting up checkpoints, saying police should instead be investigating crimes.

President Hugo Chávez's government expressed condolences to the family as well as to the Chilean government, and pledged that those responsible would face justice.