Venezuelan beauty queen lies motionless, cradled in the arms of a man on a motorbike, only to die hours later in hospital after being gunned down on the street. Dramatic photographs have emerged of Génesis Carmona being rushed to hospital after being shot in the head by an unidentified gunman who opened-fire at anti-government protesters in the state capital of Valencia, according to The Times.
The 22-year-old professional model, who won the title of ‘Miss Tourism’ in her home state of Carabobo, was rushed into emergency surgery but later died of horrific injuries.
Genesis Carmona is taken to hospital on a motorcycle after she was shot in the head during an anti-government protest in Valencia, Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014. Carmona was allegedly shot by an unknown gunman who opened fire on opposition protesters. (AP Photo/Diario Notitarde, Mauricio Centeno)
Ms Carmona, a student of marketing, was shot amid escalating violent political protests.
According to a report in the New York Post Ms Carmona was just a few months away from graduating when tragedy struck.
“How long are we going to live like this? How long do we have to tolerate this pressure, with them killing us?” a relative, who asked not to be named, told Reuters.“She only needed one more semester to graduate,” he added.
Gunned down: Génesis Carmona, 21, was a professional model, who won the title of ‘Miss Tourism’ in her home state of Carabobo.
So far, five people have been killed in the demonstrations, sparked by opposition politicians with protestors demanding better security, an end to goods shortages and protected freedom of speech.
The Venezuelan opposition has blamed the deaths and injuries on armed government loyalists whom they allege are firing into crowds, at anti-government rallies.
The death of Carmona comes just over a month after a former Miss Venezuela, Monica Spear, was murdered together with her British husband in the street.
A relative of Ms Carmona tells media she was just one semester away from graduating from a tourism degree. Genesis Carmona, who won the title of ‘Miss Tourism’ in her home state of Carabobo, was rushed into emergency surgery but later died of horrific injuries.