The attacker is already in custody and so far the motives have not been disclosed.
The Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic, Orlando Jorge Mera, was shot to death in his office on Monday.
“The information we have handled so far indicates that in the morning hours of today, the Minister of the Environment lost his life when he was attacked in his office with a firearm,” Homero Figueroa, spokesman for the Presidency, said in a message.
The aggressor has been identified as Miguel Cruz and “was a personal friend of the late minister.”
According to the authorities, Cruz is in the custody of the National Police and the Public Ministry. “The reasons for the incident are under investigation and we will continue to share more information in a timely manner,” said Figueroa.
The minister’s family also wrote a statement that was published on social networks by Orlando Salvador Jorge Villegas, the victim’s son.
“With deep pain we confirm that our beloved and selfless Orlando Jorge Mera died this Monday, the victim of several shots perpetrated by a childhood friend whom he received in his office at the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources,” reads the text.
Orlando Jorge Mera directed the Environment portfolio since August 2020 when he was appointed by President Luis Abinader.
The deceased, a founding member of the Modern Revolutionary Party, was the son of former President Salvador Jorge Blanco (1982-1986).
Paz. pic.twitter.com/GNk7F4N87Y
– Orlando Salvador Jorge Villegas (@orlandojorgev) June 6, 2022
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