Dominica's Minister of Environment and Natural Resources was shot dead in his office
Written byTimes Magazine
Orlando Jorge Mera, 55, scored in the attack. At least six shots were fired.
A presidential spokesman identified the attacker as Miguel Cruz and described him as a childhood friend of the minister.
He is now in custody. The motive for the shooting remains unclear.
In a statement, Jorge Mera's family said he had been shot multiple times by a man who had been friends with him long time since childhood.
“Our family forgives the man who did this. One of Orlando's greatest legacies is not harboring hatred," they added. Mr. Jorge Mera has served in the administration of Acting President Luis Abinader since taking office in July 2020.
In a tweet, President Abinader expressed his sincere condolences to Jorge Mera's family and said he was deeply sorry for the death of his best friend. Bartolome Puhals, director of the government's innovation cabinet, called his death a tragedy and called for peace on social media.
Jorge Mera is the son of former Salvadoran President Jorge-Blanco and a founding member of the ruling Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM).
Mr. Jorge Mera is survived by a wife, the Dominican Ambassador to Brazil, and two sons, one of whom is and a member of the LNP parliament.
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