Valentina Alape Farfán, a 14-year-old girl, died after being shot in the head in a Neiva apartment. The incident happened when a 16-year-old boy handled a modified traumatic weapon during a game with friends. Her mother, Liliana Alape Farfán, mourns the bad influences that led to the tragedy.
On Thursday evening, around 7:40 p.m., Valentina Alape Farfán left her home in the Bosques de San Luis macroproject, in Neiva's Comuna Seis, to meet friends in a nearby apartment in agrupación F. The 14-year-old, a ninth-grader at Liceo Santa Librada and aspiring veterinarian, had just received a hug from her mother, Liliana, before leaving.
Less than ten minutes later, a gunshot alerted Liliana. She rushed to the scene and found her daughter injured, being evacuated in a taxi. Valentina was first taken to ESE Carmen Emilia Ospina sede Canaima and then to Hospital Universitario Hernando Moncaleano Perdomo, where she fought for her life until 4:10 a.m. Friday, when brain death was confirmed due to irreversible skull damage.
Five minors—two boys and three girls—were alone in the apartment. The alleged perpetrator, a 16-year-old neighbor with no prior record, was handling the weapon, supposedly unloaded, to impress the others. Witnesses said he first pointed it at another girl without effect, but when he did so with Valentina, it fired. Neiva's Metropolitan Police arrested him, and juvenile proceedings began.
Liliana recounted with a broken voice: “In a moment she went over there. Not ten minutes passed when I heard a shot”. She demanded justice and warned other parents: “Please, don't let your children keep bad company. Bad influences led her to death”. The family had recently moved to the complex thinking it was safe.
This marks the third homicide in Neiva's first four days of December 2025, totaling 15 adolescent victims for the year.