Europe 1 with AFP 9:13 p.m., June 06, 2022
According to several sources within the Ministry of the Environment of the Dominican Republic, the Minister Orlando Jorge Mera, was shot dead Monday in the building of his ministry.
An armed man allegedly burst into the minister's weekly meeting with his deputy ministers and opened fire.
The Minister of Environment of the Dominican Republic, Orlando Jorge Mera, was shot dead Monday in the building of his ministry, told AFP several sources within the institution.
A gunman burst into the minister's weekly meeting with his deputy ministers and opened fire, according to three sources within the ministry who wished to remain anonymous.
Comunicado oficial del Gobierno dominicano ante el fallecimiento de Orlando Jorge Mera (@OrlandoJM), Ministro de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (@AmbienteRD).
pic.twitter.com/hPrvwfqknE
— Presidency of the Dominican República (@PresidenciaRD) June 6, 2022
“We are appalled by what happened”
The police have refused to communicate for the time being.
AFP teams on the spot saw elite police units enter the building where, according to local media, the suspected shooter took refuge.
“We are appalled by what happened,” the Environment Ministry tweeted without further details about the alleged shooter who appears to have had easy access to security areas inside the ministry.
The environment minister was the son of former Dominican president Salvador Jorge Blanco (1982-1986).