09/03/2002

Associated Press

Nanaimo, British Columbia -- A 44-year-old mother of seven was shot to death outside a corner store in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.

Canadian police say Rosella Centis was pumping gas into her car yesterday afternoon when a vehicle passed behind her and a shot was fired, hitting her in the back.

The woman's 13-year-old daughter heard the shot and turned to see her mother fall to the ground. The other car sped off.

Centis died instantly. She leaves five children, ages 3 to 13, living in Nanaimo and two adult children living in Italy.

Police say they have no suspect.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)