The government of Puerto Rico has decreed three days of national mourning for the murder this Monday of three policemen in a chase that took place on one of the main access roads to the capital, San Juan.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia, said that, in addition, the flags will fly at half-mast for three days in memory of state police Luis Marrero Díaz, and municipal officials Luis Salaman Conde and Eliezer Hernández Cartagena.
A total of four police officers were involved in the incidents. Two of them were shot dead and a third was hit and killed, while a fourth officer was injured.
“I deeply regret the pain that the relatives of these three heroes who were murdered while fulfilling their duty to protect the lives of all on our Island are suffering. These violent acts of contempt for life cannot have room in the Puerto Rico we want, ”the governor said.
“I have decreed three days of mourning in memory and honor of our brave policemen who lost their lives. To all their relatives, my solidarity and my prayers so that they may have the strength and comfort they need in these hard times. Our whole town mourns the departure of Luis Marrero, Luis Salaman and Eliezer Hernández, “Pierluisi added.
ACT DILIGENTLY
In turn, he has indicated that he has instructed “to act diligently with all the investigation so that the person or persons responsible are given the full weight of the law. We thank our police for their courage and dedication to go out every day to defend the people by risking their lives. I am committed to working urgently to empower and provide more resources to our uniformed. “
The chase took place yesterday on Avinguda Baldorioty de Castro, one of the main access roads to San Juan and the busiest, near the airport and at the height of Illa Verde, the tourist area of the capital. of the island.
Security forces are still searching for the suspect in the murder and assault, who, according to the head of the Police, Antonio López, is said to be a refugee in a residential -popular home- near where the facts.
IT ALL STARTED AFTER A CLOCK BETWEEN CARS
In an interview with WKAQ, Lopez said the situation that happened yesterday was precipitated after a car crash in the neighboring town of Carolina.
One of the drivers of one of the vehicles involved in the crash shot police officers who were attending to what happened and fled and on the aforementioned Baldorioty Avenue in Castro “injured two officers who were following him.” explain.
In turn, he revealed that security forces know who he is.