Francisco Rafael Ojeda Zuleta died that day at 23:00 hours, on the Carretera Norte, Copiapó, due to the destruction of brain matter caused by rifle bullets, as stated in the Medical Death Certificate signed by a forensic physician.

That day, at approximately 21:00 hours, Francisco Ojeda, in the company of some friends, was traveling in a truck to the Hacienda Bodega, located six kilometers from the city of Copiapó. According to the statements of four of his companions, in front of what was then the Escuela de Minas, they were stopped by a military patrol, which allowed them to continue their journey.

However, about three hundred meters further on, there was another military patrol checking vehicles traveling in the opposite direction. They did not stop, and after they had advanced a few meters, they heard multiple gunshots.

Francisco Ojeda received an impact to the skull that caused his instantaneous death. The military personnel themselves took the body to the local morgue, and the other occupants were detained, being released subsequently.

Considering the evidence gathered and the investigation conducted, the Superior Council, given the circumstances, the period, and the cause of death, declared Francisco Rafael Ojeda Zuleta a victim of the prevailing political violence.