This image shows a gunman pointing his gun at a mother of four a split second before he pulled the trigger and fatally shot her in front of her shocked son.

Ana Paula Ruiz, 41, was shot in the street after confronting a man who stole her son’s motorbike in the municipality of San Cristobal de Las Casas in the Mexican state of Chiapas at around 11pm on 19th February.

According to local reports, the victim’s son Miguel Alejandro had arrived at the Hotel Arrecife de Coral, where his mother worked as a receptionist, to pick her up.

He parked his motorcycle near the hospital, but found that it had been stolen in the few minutes he was away.

Together with his mother, they searched the surrounding streets and came across a man with Miguel Alejandro’s motorbike.

They confronted the suspect and an accomplice arrived on the scene on another motorcycle. The second man reportedly took out his gun and threatened the pair.

Ruiz reached for her phone to take a photo of the gunman moments before he fatally shot her in front of her son.

After the attack, both thieves fled the scene, leaving Miguel’s motorcycle behind.

Ruiz was taken to the Hospital de Las Culturas, where she passed away on the morning of 20th February.

The Attorney General’s Office of Chiapas State has confirmed that an investigation is underway for violent robbery and homicide. No arrests have been made yet.

Meanwhile, local residents were left outraged by the murder and the hashtag ‘Justice for Paula’ started trending on social media.

Her four children, ages not reported, have reportedly been left orphaned.

The police investigation continues.