Dominican Republic environment minister shot dead in office

Minister Orlando Jorge Mera, the son of former President Salvador Jorge Blanco, was reportedly killed by a close friend.

The Dominican Republic‘s minister of environment and natural resources Orlando Jorge Mera has been shot to death in his office by a close friend, the office of the president said in a statement.

The attack took place on Monday night in Mera’s fourth-floor office in Santo Domingo, authorities said. Fausto Miguel de Jesus Cruz de la Mota was later arrested after confessing the crime to a priest at a local church.

Local media reported at least seven shots were heard and police and emergency officials swarmed the building. Mourners soon gathered nearby.

The family of Jorge Mera, who is the son of former President Salvador Jorge Blanco, in a statement, described the attacker as “a childhood friend whom [Jorge Mera] received in his office”.

“Our family forgives the person who did this. One of Orlando’s greatest legacies was to not hold grudges,” the statement said.

President Luis Abinader said he was “deeply saddened” and dismayed by the killing.

“We express our deepest condolences,” he said.

Jorge Mera had promised upon taking office to work for the “responsible” use of natural resources, protect ecosystems and slash pollution and had recently told local media he had reported thousands of cases to the judiciary for violations.