Celebrations End in Gunfire: Santa Elena Man Critical

The celebrations had barely ended in Santa Elena when violence erupted. Police say a confrontation between two men escalated into gunfire Monday evening, leaving twenty-seven-year-old Marco Vasquez hospitalized in critical condition. Investigators say Vasquez was reportedly armed with a machete when a licensed firearm holder intervened and allegedly shot him. That man remains in custody as police await guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions. ASP Stacy Smith explains what investigators have established so far.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Initial investigation revealed that Vasquez and others were involved in a physical altercation, at which time it is alleged that a licensed firearm holder attempted to intervene, and he was aggressed by Mr. Vasquez, who had in his possession a machete, allegedly. The licensed firearm holder produced his firearm and fired two shots, one of which struck Mr. Vasquez. Mr. Vasquez was transported for medical attention and is now listed in a stable but critical condition at the Western Regional Hospital. A firearm was seized from the licensed firearm holder, who remains in detention, and also recovered from the scene was a machete. A case file is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the office of the DPP for directives therefrom.”

 

Police could not confirm if alcohol was a factor in the incident.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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