Tragedy struck the South American nation of Colombia on Saturday when a popular conservative-leaning presidential hopeful was targeted in a grievous assassination attempt during a campaign rally.

Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was shot multiple times at close range and remains in critical condition at a hospital in Bogota, Breitbart reported.

The gunman, who was captured immediately after the shooting, is a 14-year-old boy with a troubled past who authorities believe was hired as a contract killer to take out the right-leaning politician.

Presidential hopeful shot at campaign rally

On Saturday, Sen. Uribe was speaking at a campaign event in Bogota while seeking the presidential candidacy of his right-wing Democratic Center Party, when gunfire suddenly erupted and the crowd scattered, all of which was caught on video.

The senator was reportedly shot three times, including twice in the head, and was rushed to a nearby clinic from which he was transported by helicopter to a major hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.

Unfortunately, as of Monday, doctors noted that Uribe has shown "little response" to the life-saving efforts, and described his situation as "extremely serious" with a "reserved" prognosis for recovery.

Political violence condemned

Colombia's leftist President Gustavo Petro, whom Uribe hoped to challenge in the next election, condemned the violent attack against his opposition, acknowledged the likelihood that the shooter was a hired killer, and announced a full investigation of the incident -- even as many blame him for fueling the nation's heightened political tension with sharp rhetoric against his partisan opponents.

In an X post, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared, "The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the attempted assassination of Senator Miguel Uribe. This is a direct threat to democracy and the result of the violent leftist rhetoric coming from the highest levels of the Colombian government."

"Having seen firsthand Colombia’s progress over the past few decades to consolidate security and democracy, it can’t afford to go back to dark days of political violence," he continued. "President Petro needs to dial back the inflammatory rhetoric and protect Colombian officials."

Rubio added, "We stand in prayer with Miguel’s family, loved ones, and his supporters. Those responsible for this attack must face justice."

Shooter a troubled teen and hired killer

According to El País, Sen. Uribe's would-be assassin is an unnamed 14-year-old boy who approached the politician from behind and opened fire with a handgun before attempting to flee, though he was also shot in the leg by security and was captured just a block away after a short chase.

The boy is reported to have been briefly involved in a special program for at-risk youth, though he dropped out after just a couple of months, and was said to have a "conflictive" personality and a history of getting into trouble.

It is further believed by authorities, based on evidence and the boy's own apologetic statements at the time of his arrest, that he'd been hired to kill Uribe on behalf of another unidentified individual or organization.

The shooter has been charged with attempted murder and illegal possession of weapons, but because he is a minor, Colombian law mandates that he will only serve a maximum of eight years in a rehabilitation facility, and not prison, if convicted of those criminal charges.