| Roberts Mūrnieks | |
| Birth Date: | 1952 7, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Pelši, Preiļi District, USSR, modern-day Latvia |
| Death Place: | Riga, Latvia |
| Occupation: | Driver |
Roberts Mūrnieks (4 July 1952 – 16 January 1991) was the first person killed by Soviet OMON during the Barricades in 1991 in Latvia. His funeral became a public protest against Soviet occupation and aggression in Latvia.
Mūrnieks was born on 4 July 1952 in Pelši, Preiļi District in the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic, which today is Latvia. He went to Preiļi High School № 1, but moved to Riga with his family after 5th grade.[1] In 1991, Mūrnieks was working for the Ministry of Transport as a driver, when he was shot in the head near Vecmīlgrāvis bridge during the events of the Barricades. He died from the injury on 16 January 1991, at Riga Hospital № 1.[2]
On 17 January, the Supreme Council of Latvia expressed condolences for Mūrnieks' death, saying it was as a result of banditry by a militia unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR, and created a commission to organise his funeral. He was buried in Mārupe Cemetery, and his funeral became a focal point of popular protest.[3]
In 2010, Roberts Mūrnieks was awarded the Order of Viesturs for outstanding merit in defending Latvia's independence and was recognised as Commander of the Order of Viesturs.[4]