A four-year-old girl was shot dead as she was caught in the middle of a drive-by shooting between rival gangs.

Innocent victim Nayla Naomi Torrilla was hit in the chest when a hail of more than 30 bullets sprayed out from a passing car as she played in the street.

A neighbour rushed her to hospital after the shooting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 8th February, but she died of her injuries, reported local media.

Her mother – mum-of-five Alcira – said: “I heard the shots and I went out looking for my children like a madwoman.

“Here several children come together to play. Unfortunately it happened to my daughter.”

She added: “The doctors did everything possible but they could not save her.”

Investigators believe a criminal gang called ‘Los Marola’, which carries out robberies in the area, may be responsible for the killing.

An anonymous source close to the investigation told local media: “These Marola are pitted against other gangs, mainly one that calls itself ‘Los Cabrales’, made up of relatives with the surname Cabral, one of whose members they murdered last year.”

Alcira said: “My daughter was caught up in the middle of their problems. The only thing I know is that I’ve lost my daughter.”

A 19-year-old man named William Hernan Arsamendia Escobar was also injured in the shooting.

A bullet passed clean through his right leg, with local media reporting that his injury is not life-threatening.

Alcira said: “I lost my daughter to a beast. The only thing I ask for now is justice for Nayla.”

As well as her mum and siblings, Nayla also leaves behind dad Orlando.

Police have been carrying out raids but had made no arrests at the time of reporting.