Man sentenced to over 8 years for student's accidental killing

A Uruguayan court has sentenced a man to eight years and six months in prison for his role in the death of Jonathan Cancela, a student who was killed in November 2025. Cancela was walking with classmates towards the Intercambiador Belloni when he was fatally wounded.

The convicted man was found guilty of "carrying firearms in public places, in conjunction with a charge of eventual intent homicide, and aggravated personal injury." According to reports, the incident occurred when the convicted man was involved in an argument and fired a weapon. The bullet struck Cancela, who was nearby, and he died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

The prosecution reached the conviction through an abbreviated legal process, a common procedure in Uruguay that allows for reduced sentences in exchange for a guilty plea. The case highlights the tragic consequences of gun violence, where an innocent bystander became a victim of a dispute between others.