Venezuelan police shot a 14-year-old high school student in the head during anti-government protests in the state of Tachira. The teenager’s death continues to fuel the fire against the government; however, the police officer has been arrested.

A member of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) shot Kluiverth Ferney Roa Nunez in the head Tuesday morning during a protest in the city of San Cristobal, according to Reuters.

Col. Ramon Cabezas, head of citizen security for the state of Tachira, explained to reporters at the time that an officer shot at the ground, and it is unclear how Roa was struck in the head.

However, El Nuevo Herald reports the president of human rights commission for the city, Jose Vicente Garcia, said Roa was shot with a shotgun. Initial police investigations show the teenager was hit in the head with the large gun ammunition, and there were gunpowder residues.

“Effectively, this means he was shot with a shotgun,” Garcia said.

Roa was walking by protests near the Universidad Catolica de Tachira. When a group of protesters surrounded an officer, the officer opened fire, allegedly striking Roa.

The public prosecutor in charge of human rights, Tarek William Saab, expressed disgust at the death of the high school student and said the shooter was in custody, according to El Universal,

“I publicly condemn the vile assassination of Kluiver Roa who was foully assassinated by suspected PNB officers that are imprisoned,” Saab said.

A release from the Public Ministry announced 23-year-old PNB officer Javier Mora Ortiz was arrested for Roa’s killing.

Opposition leaders have voiced their anger over the shooting of the teenager during the protests.

“Enough with the killing of our country’s youth," Henrique Capriles wrote on Twitter:

Protests have erupted throughout Venezuela in the last couple of weeks as the one-year anniversary of anti-government demonstrations passes. The government has recently begun to crack down more on dissidents and protesters. The latest of these is the mayor of Caracas, who was arrested last week, having been accused of taking part in a plot to overthrow the government.

According to the Financial Times, the government’s recent crackdowns can be attributed to President Nicolas Maduro’s plummeting popularity. As the country heads for a midterm election, the ruling socialist party could lose its majority. The government may be trying to quell the opposition.

The video below shows alleged shooter fleeing from protesters. Warning -- Graphic:

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