By The Star Staff
Designated Justice Secretary Janet Parra Mercado on Thursday condemned the slaying of two minors in Río Grande and gave assurances that the agency is working closely with the Puerto Rico Police Bureau and other entities to solve the crime and prosecute those responsible.
“I categorically reject all acts of violence such as the one that occurred in Río Grande, where unfortunately two children lost their lives and another minor was injured,” Parra Mercado said in a written statement. “I reaffirm the commitment of the Department of Justice and the Prosecutor’s Office is already working to solve this case and bring those responsible for this vile crime to justice.”
The official added that the Office of Compensation for Victims and Witnesses of Crime will provide support to the affected family at this difficult time.
The double slaying occurred on Wednesday night on highway PR-955 in Río Grande’s Villa Realidad community when a shooting left a 13-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy dead, while another 12-year-old girl was wounded by a bullet.
In the incident, Miguel Colón Rodríguez, 66, and Rocelyn Colón Marín, 51, were also hit by gunfire and transported to a hospital in stable condition. Likewise, a man identified as Cristian Lafont Feliciano, 27, arrived at another hospital in the area with gunshot wounds.
The circumstances of the shooting were still under investigation at press time by agents of the Fajardo Criminal Investigation Corps, in conjunction with the island Prosecutor’s Office, but according to initial findings, Naovis Cepeda Salgado, 32 years old, had left her home in Villa Hugo, in Canóvanas, accompanied by her children to bring food to her boyfriend Luis Daniel Encarnación Colón, 28 years old, who is out on bail for a murder that occurred in 2022, and who has an electronic monitoring bracelet. Police were interviewing Encarnación Colón on Thursday, according to reports.
Puerto Rico Police Commissioner Joseph González expressed his regrets Thursday for the death of the two minors in the armed attack.
“It is with great sadness that I mourn the loss of two children in Rio Grande and the injuries suffered by another minor and three adults,” González said. “My thoughts are with their families at this difficult time.”
He emphasized that the Police Bureau will use all its resources to find those responsible and bring them to justice.
“This type of violence has no place in our society,” González said. He added that the case is in the hands of specialized personnel and that the investigation will be conducted in an exhaustive manner.
“We have trained personnel assigned to this case and you can expect a complete, professional investigation without unnecessary delays,” González said. “We will not rest until justice is done.”
The Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA by its initials in Spanish), meanwhile, activated its emotional support team on Thursday to provide assistance to the affected families and communities.
Interim ASSMCA Administrator Rosa Figueroa Morales said the agency had mobilized its personnel to the impacted communities in Río Grande, Loíza and Canóvanas with specialized mental health resources to offer support to those who need it.
“We know that events of this magnitude generate a deep emotional impact on families and the entire community,” Figueroa Morales said. “Our team of professionals will be available to offer psychological support and emotional management tools to those affected by this unfortunate tragedy.”
The official also reminded citizens that the ASSMCA has the PAS Line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering confidential and free help through 1-800-981-0023, 9-8-8 and VRS 787-615-4112. The agency also has a chat http://lineapas.assmca.pr.gov/ that allows people to connect with mental health professionals at any time.
“Our commitment is to the emotional well-being of our people,” Figueroa Morales said. “We urge anyone who feels affected by this event to seek help and not face this process alone.”
The ASSMCA will continue to monitor the situation and expand its intervention efforts as needed to ensure that communities receive the assistance required, the official added.
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