The apparent attempt on Kirchner’s life was caught on film by local news crews on Thursday night as the VP made her way through a bustling crowd near her residence, which gathered to show support amid an ongoing corruption trial.
A hand wielding a pistol is briefly seen in front of Kirchner, who quickly ducks out of the way following what appears to be a loud click. Some reports suggested the weapon misfired, but it’s unclear from the footage whether the person actually tried to pull the trigger.
An individual was arrested on the spot and a firearm was found by police several meters away, according to local media reports, which claimed the attacker is a 35-year-old Brazilian national. Officials have yet to confirm details about the perpetrator, however.
Law enforcement sources Argentina’s Clarin media outlet the man was carrying a .380 caliber pistol with a loaded magazine, while the Minister of Security Anibal Fernandez noted the suspect has a criminal history and was last arrested in March.
Cristina Kirchner needs much better security than that.