Manhunt Launched After PG Teen Murder

Police in Punta Gorda are now in an active manhunt tonight, after the brazen shooting that killed seventeen‑year‑old Jimmy Cus. Investigators say they already know who they’re looking for. Cus and his friend, eighteen‑year‑old Darwin Meraz, were simply walking along New Road around eight o’clock Wednesday night when gunfire erupted. Cus didn’t survive; Meraz was hit in the leg but managed to escape. What’s driving the urgency now is the possibility that this murder may be tied to another recent killing in PG. Police aren’t ruling out a chain reaction of retaliations, and they’re working quickly to find the person of interest before the violence escalates further. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith explains what investigators have uncovered so far.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Officers in Punta Gorda Town were alerted to the sounds of shots being fired on New Road in Punta Gorda Town. The officers responded and upon their arrival they observed the unresponsive body of Jimmy Cus, seventeen years of age, which exhibited several apparent gunshot wounds. And they also met with eighteen-year-old Darwin Meraz who also suffered a gunshot injury to the leg. What the ongoing investigation has disclosed so far is that Cus and Meraz were walking on New Road when they were accosted by a male person who fired several shots resulting in the demise of Cus, and the injury of Meraz Police have since. Identified a person of interest in relation to this incident and that individual is now being sought. An angle that is being pursued is this incident’s connection with a recent murder incident that occurred in Punta Gorda Town. However, as more information is learned that will be disclosed to the media as it becomes necessary to do so. The community policing section of that formation have undertaken several rounds of mediation with a view to having Mr. Cus and Mr. Meraz, who are very young in age to be more productive citizens of society. So they were known to police.”

 

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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