On August 9, 1985, during the Day for Life, three people died.

Manuel Jesús MORENO QUEZADA, 51 years old, a merchant, was working in a liquor store at night when he was struck by a bullet that passed through his head.

According to testimonies received by the Commission, the fatal shot was fired by a uniformed officer driving an ambulance. One witness stated that the ambulance passed slowly in front of the establishment and a uniformed officer fired from inside it.

In an official letter sent by the Director of the Military Hospital to the Military Prosecutor, it was reported that a State agent who worked there as a driver had presented himself to the Military Hospital guard to place himself at the disposal of the authorities for his potential involvement in the victim's death.

Other testimonies received indicate that there were acts of violence in the vicinity and that the ambulance, which had gone to pick up a patient, was attacked. However, in the judgment of this Commission, the shot fired by the ambulance driver toward a local establishment—when the attacks on the vehicle did not originate from there—constituted an excessive use of force, notwithstanding the violent circumstances of the moment.

Therefore, this Commission is convinced that Manuel Jesús Moreno was the victim of a violation of his right to life, for which a State agent is responsible for the excessive use of force.

Ana María URREA CASAS-CORDERO, 32 years of age, was passing through the intersection of Avenida Ochagavía and Lo Ovalle (Santiago) in a private vehicle when she was struck in the head by a stone. She died a few days later due to craniocerebral trauma. According to credible accounts, unidentified individuals were throwing stones at vehicles passing through the area. One of these stones struck her.

The Commission, considering that such actions occurred in the context of anti-government street protests, and taking into account general background information regarding other expressions of violence during demonstrations, presumes that the perpetrators violated the right to life of Ana María Urrea for political motives.

Aída Rosa VILCHES URREA, 38 years of age, a housewife, was inside her home in Villa Brasil (Santiago) on the night of August 9 when she was struck by a bullet that passed through her head.

Her spouse declared that the two of them were alone in their house that day, while demonstrations involving the burning of tires were taking place on Avenida Santa Rosa. They heard gunfire. She approached a window and received the fatal impact.

The witness saw carabineros firing isolated shots, which ceased when he shouted that his wife was wounded. Other testimonies known to the Commission indicate that there was also gunfire from private individuals directed at the uniformed officers.

The available evidence does not allow for a determination with certainty as to whether the perpetrator was a private individual or a State agent. Nevertheless, the facts presented lead the Commission to the conviction that Aída Rosa Vilches fell victim to a situation of political violence.