A police officer shot a 15-year-old thief after being ambushed by at least eight criminals.

An officer of the Argentine Federal Police, who on his day off worked as a driver for a ride-hailing app, shot and killed a dangerous 15-year-old thief who had ambushed and robbed him along with several accomplices near the San Petersburgo shantytown in San Justo, in the western part of Greater Buenos Aires.

The incident occurred over the weekend, while the non-commissioned officer, 30 years old, was driving his gray Chevrolet Corsa, a vehicle he used for transportation services. In that context, he accepted a ride requested through the platform and headed toward Colonia Street, just a few meters (a few feet) from the settlement.

When the officer arrived at the designated spot to pick up the supposed passenger, he was surprised by a group of at least eight criminals. According to his testimony, as soon as he stopped the car, one of the assailants entered through one of the rear doors and grabbed him by the neck, while the rest of the gang quickly approached to join the attack.

In his judicial statement, the police officer stated that he managed to see "between 7 and 8 individuals" and emphasized that "one of them was armed." At that moment, he managed to draw his service weapon, a Bersa TPR9 nine-millimeter pistol, and fired a shot at one of the thieves who was outside the vehicle and trying to open the driver's door.

The 15-year-old thief stepped back a few meters (a few feet) and collapsed, wounded, on the sidewalk. His accomplices abandoned the robbery and went to assist him. Several of them picked him up, put him in another car, and took him to the Doctor Diego Paroissien Interzonal General Hospital in Isidro Casanova.

According to police sources, the criminal arrived at the medical center with no signs of life. He was identified as Deian Samir Díaz, a resident of the aforementioned shantytown with multiple criminal records. Meanwhile, amid the chaos, the other assailant who was already inside the vehicle took the opportunity to steal the police officer's cell phone and flee on foot.

The investigation was left in the hands of the Thematic Homicide Functional Unit of La Matanza, which classified the case as aggravated robbery for having been committed by a group in a populated area and homicide, although no action was taken against the officer as it was determined that he acted in self-defense. Investigators continue working to identify and apprehend the other individuals involved who remain at large.