56-Year-Old Mom Of Puerto Rican Olympian Dead, Killed By Stray Bullet While Sewing

A 56-year-old woman was killed after she was struck by a stray bullet while sewing at her home in Connecticut.

The victim was identified as Mabel Martinez, the mother of Puerto Rican Olympian Yarimar Mercado. She was shot in the head by a stray bullet after a man walking outside her home in Waterbury opened fire on a man on Saturday, Apr. 9.

The man who was the target of the shooter was shot in the leg and survived, the Post reported.

According to Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo, investigators believe the shooting was drug-related and that Martinez was not the intended target.

The 56-year-old woman was the mother of Puerto Rican Olympic team rifle-shooter Yarimar Mercado who competed in the Tokyo Summer Games. Mercado also competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Mercado posted a heartfelt message on social media following her mother’s unfortunate demise.

“Why you? why is it like that? If you were just sitting in your house sewing, as you used to do…,” she wrote on Facebook in Spanish.

“Two days ago you called me with excitement, asking me to save the date and help you prepare to renew your wedding vows with daddy in Puerto Rico,” she continued. “There are so many things I still needed to learn from you … I was so far away without being able to do anything, I couldn’t even say goodbye to you.”

Mercado flew from Brazil to Connecticut on Sunday according to Gilberto Hernández, president of the Puerto Rico Shooting Association.

"I apologize to Puerto Rico because even if I wanted to, I really can't compete, my place is with my family," the 27-year-old stated.

The remains of Mabel Martinez are to be transported to Puerto Rico so that family members can say their final goodbyes according to Yarimar Mercado.

Police have yet to identify the suspect and no arrests have been made as of this writing.