A pregnant woman has died after she was shot in the face but her baby miraculously survived.
Mum-of-one Fabiana Mayanga Cortez was blasted in the room she rented with her boyfriend Víctor Rodríguez Álvarez.
He was arrested and is accused of killing Fabiana, 22.
READ MORE: Influencer in hospital after SHOCK attempted murder caused her to crash her car
Álvarez., 20, who remains in police custody, said the gunshot was accidental.
He stated that he was cleaning the firearm when it suddenly went off.
The victim, who was cradling her young son at the time, was struck near her right eye at their home in Chiclayo in north-western Peru.
She was seven months pregnant at the time.
The young couple had been renting the room for the last eight months.
Police spokesperson Wilson Bernabé said the case is currently being investigated as a negligent homicide.
However, the victim’s father isn’t convinced the gunshot was accidental.
He claimed: “He had an illegal weapon in his room.
“He is a motorcycle cabbie, supposedly going out to work late at night.”
He added: “I doubt my daughter knew he had a weapon as she had only been with him for a short time.”
A relative of the suspect said: “He didn’t mean to kill her, he’s not a murderer, it was an accident.
“He was cleaning the gun, taking out the bullets because he wanted to avoid a sudden disaster.”
Fabiana was taken to the Las Mercedes Hospital in Chiclayo in a critical condition.
Doctors were unable to prevent the young woman from passing away, but were able to save her baby.
After carrying out a Caesarean section, medics took the premature infant to intensive care.
Doctors believe the baby may suffer with long-term respiratory problems due to being underdeveloped.
The Ministry of Health said the newborn will be transferred to the Peruvian capital Lima to receive specialised care, as reported by Need To Know.
The investigation into the mother’s death is ongoing.
READ MORE: Influencer, 30, dies after spending close to month in coma following tragic motorbike crash
