The young community member and his family were looking for some animals that had been stolen during the early hours of the morning. | Photo: Twitter @TeAmoValpo

Santiago de Chile, August 8 (RHC)-- The young Mapuche Henry Rodrigo Millanao Cañuta was killed by a bullet in the commune of Ercilla, in the Araucanía Region, in central Chile, when he was trying to recover his cattle, which had previously been stolen, local authorities reported Saturday.

According to preliminary information from authorities, the young community member and his family were looking for some animals that had been stolen during the early hours of the morning.

While the family walked several kilometers to find the whereabouts of the animals, Milianao Cañuta was attacked by unknown subjects.  Millanao Cañuta was hit in the abdomen and taken to the Ercilla Family Health Center, where he died.

The Homicide Brigade of the Investigative Police is compiling the background information to arrest the perpetrator of the shooting that ended the life of the young Mapuche.

The remains of the victim, who lived in the Chamichaco reduction of Ercilla, were taken this afternoon to the Forensic Medical Service of Temuco for the corresponding examinations