A Pokémon GO! player has reportedly been killed while playing the game in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Local news station KRQE reports that 21-year-old Cayla Campos and her boyfriend were out playing the mobile game when Cayla saw two people “committing a robbery against an unidentified party seated in a vehicle.”
As she tried to drive away from the scene, the two suspects opened fire at the car, with one of the bullets hitting Cayla in the neck and causing the car to crash.
“It boggles my mind,” said Cayla’s father Carl Campos. “Most 21-year-olds are out at clubs. My daughter is out playing Pokémon GO.”
One of the GO! community members took to Twitter to lament the crime, writing: “Deeply tragic that a young member from our PoGO community, Cayla Campos of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was shot & died from her injuries trying to flee from a crime she & her boyfriend witnessed while at a local park playing PoGO. PLEASE be safe when you are out at night. R.I.P.”
A spokesperson for the Albuquerque, Gilbert Gallegos Jr., confirmed that Cayla was immediately taken to hospital, but died from the gunshot wound shortly after.
“No parent should have to bury a child, it’s not right. We really, really need to do something about getting funding for these smaller cities to help fight the crime because it ain’t going away,” said her father.
He went on to describe his daughter as “amazing” and “irreplaceable,” thanking the many thousands of people who have now reached out to pay their respects to the family.
Pokemon GO! developer Niantic released a statement on the news, saying: “We want to express our deepest condolences to Ms. Campos’ family and friends at this terrible time.”
At the time of writing, no arrests have been made in connection to the crime.
Featured Image Credit: Niantic