By Nneka Nwogwugwu
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.
According to the office of the president in a statement, the attack took place on Monday night in Mera’s fourth-floor office in Santo Domingo, authorities said.
His close friend, 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.
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 of Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader said he was “deeply saddened” and dismayed by the killing.
“We express our deepest condolences,” he said.
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