Genesis Carmona dead: Beauty Queen shot and killed during Venezuela anti-government protest, Miss Turismo 2013 fifth victim of violent political turmoil [PHOTOS]

Reports confirm that Genesis Carmona, an avid student demonstrator and former Venezuelean beauty queen, was shot and killed during an anti-government protest in  Valencia on Wednesday (February 18).

Carmona's tragic death was confirmed on Twitter by the country's daily El Universal:

 @ElUniversal: "Confirmamos que Genésis Carmona, Miss Turismo Carabobo, falleció por herida de bala en la cabeza, cuando manifestaba ayer en #Valencia #19F."

("We confirm that Miss Tourism Carabobo Genésis Carmona has passed away from a gunshot to the head, while protesting yesterday in #Valencia").

According to Reuters, the 22-year-old beauty was photographed lying limp in an unidentified man's arms after violent gunfire broke out during Tuesday's protest in Carabobo's capital. Reports confirm she was rushed by motorcycle to Centro Medico Guerra Mendez. Carmona promptly underwent surgery and was placed in intensive care, but her wounds were too severe and she later passed away on Wednesday afternoon.

@VaneCarmona: "Así trasladaron a Génesis Carmona."

"This is how they took Génesis Carmona [to the hospital]."

The sad news was also confirmed on the official Miss Carabobo organization Facebook page:

"We deeply lament to have to say that our Génesis Carmona has just passed away after receiving a gunshot to the head yesterday. Our condolences to her family." 

Carmona (an aspiring model) was crowned Miss Tourism Carabobo in 2013. At the time of her death, she was studying tourism and finishing up her Social Sciences degree at the Universidad Tecnológica del Centro de Valencia (UNITEC).

The beauty queen's official Twitter account described her as "friendly, but not stupid!" and "passionate about life." 

The rally that ultimately claimed Carmona's life was led by Leopoldo Lopez - he's been demonstrating against President Nicolas Maduro's government for three weeks now. Since the political turmoil began, three people have already been shot dead. Another individual was run over by a car and killed. Carmona is the fifth victim of such political unrest. Arrests and injuries are on the rise.

Lopez eventually surrendered to authorities on Tuesday, but urged supporters to continue the anti-government fight - "Today more than ever, our cause has to be the exit of this government," Lopez announced in a pre-recorded video before his arrest. "The exit from this disaster, the exit of this group of people who have kidnapped the future of Venezuelans is in your hands. Let's fight. I will be doing so." 

RIP, Genesis Carmona.