Venezuelan teenager killed during protest; President Maduro orders investigation

CARACAS, Venezuela, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has ordered an investigation into the death of a 14-year-old student during a protest Tuesday.

The student, Kluiver Roa, died after being hit in the head by a rubber bullet, El Universal reported. A police officer, Javier Mora Ortiz, 23, has been arrested.

The anti-government demonstration occurred outside the former headquarters of the Catholic University of Tachira in the western Venezuelan state of Tachira, bordering Colombia.

Maduro addressed the tragedy during his television show "In Contact with Maduro."

"There was violence, with hooded people, during a protest activity. Two members of the [police] went by, they were attacked with stones, and one of them triggered a shotgun and killed this young man," Maduro said. "I condemn this murder. Enough violence."'

Así está el país, hermano del estudiante asesinado de rodillas y llorando de dolor, mientras ella, pasea a su perro. pic.twitter.com/zKYOD8zr9k

— Jorge (@JorgeJelipe) February 24, 2015

"This is how the country is, brother of the murdered student kneeling and crying in pain while she walks her dog," a tweet reads.

About 43 people died, both government supporters and opponents, in protests last year in Venezuela.

Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma, an opposition leader, was arrested Feb. 19 by intelligence police for allegedly "conspiring against the peace and stability of the nation."

The arrest happened one day after the one-year anniversary of the arrest of Leopoldo Lopez, another opposition leader.