(CNN Spanish) -
The National Police of the Dominican Republic reported this Monday that it suspended and placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry a policeman who, according to the institution, this Sunday "accidentally shot" a citizen during the persecution of a criminal in the Hato Mayor sector, in the province of Santiago, two hours from Santo Domingo.
According to a statement from the force, the police officer under investigation is Bladimir de la Rosa Valdez and the man accidentally killed is Pedro Antonio Guzmán, 26.
The police say that Valdez was on patrol with other members of the force when he detected a man who was allegedly carrying a firearm in his hands.
The statement said that, upon noticing the presence of the policemen, the man in question fired at the patrol.
According to the police report, it was there that Valdez responded to the attack, but his shot hit Guzmán.
He died in a medical center while receiving care, according to authorities.
The person whom the police officers were chasing was later arrested, and identified by the police as someone who had been released from La Vega jail about a month before, after serving several years in prison for sexual violence.
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The police institution announced the creation of a commission made up of the General Inspectorate and the Internal Affairs Directorate to deepen the investigations.
CNN is trying to determine if Agent Valdez has legal representation and how he responds to the facts.
Businessmen denounce violence
Following the recent acts of violence involving police officers, Cesar Dargam, Executive Vice President of the National Council of Private Enterprise, considered that "the issue of security is essential to generate an appropriate investment climate."
"In recent days, cases of violence have increased, cases that call into question our system. We are actively participating in the Presidential Commission for Police Reform," the businessman said in an interview with CNN.
Police violence