Dominican Republic, Environment Minister killed in his office

Dominican Republic Environment Minister Orlando Jorge Mera was shot dead last night by a man who broke into his office while the weekly meeting was in progress. A police strike team intervened to capture the assailant who had barricaded himself in the ministry, but was arrested shortly afterwards.

Authorities said the perpetrator is Miguel Cruz, who was quickly escorted out of the building by officers after the shooting. He wore a helmet and a flak jacket. According to the victim’s family, Cruz was friends with Jorge from childhood. “We forgive the person who did this. One of Orlando’s greatest legacies was not holding a grudge,” reads a statement. Mera was the son of former Dominican president Salvador Jorge Blanco.