Woman, 32, Fatally Shot by Air Gun in Santa Ana

A woman was shot and killed in Santa Ana Thursday morning, allegedly by her boyfriend who told authorities he accidentally shot her in the chest with an air rifle, according to Santa Ana police.

The victim was identified Thursday evening as 32-year-old Martha Socorro Marin, of Santa Ana, authorities said.

Police were called about 11 a.m. Thursday to the 1000 block of South Austin Street, where they found Marin unconscious and suffering from a small puncture wound to the upper chest.

The mother of two was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

Marin’s boyfriend told responding officers that he accidently shot the woman with his BB rifle, a type of air gun designed to shoot small pellets, according to a news release from the Santa Ana Police Department.

Authorities said the man was cooperating with detectives.

"Why he shot her with anything is the big question," said Cpl. Anthony Bertagna, spokesman for Santa Ana police.

NBC4's Tena Ezzeddine contributed to this report.

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