Federal Police Officer Killed in Merlo After Resisting Motorcycle Robbery
Nicolás Aragón, 30, was shot with his own service weapon at the intersection of Bicentenario and Deán Funes. He died in the early hours after being operated on at Héroes de Malvinas Hospital.
Federal Police Officer Killed in Merlo: Gun Stolen and Shot Upon Returning from Work
A First Corporal of the Argentine Federal Police died in Merlo after being attacked by two criminals on a motorcycle as he returned home after completing his work shift, reported lanacion.com.ar.
The attack occurred at the intersection of Bicentenario Avenue and Deán Funes, in the Pompeya neighbourhood. Two individuals travelling on another motorcycle intercepted Nicolás José Aragón and, when he resisted, they stole his service weapon—a Bersa Thunder 9 mm—with which they shot him. The officer's motorcycle, a Bajaj Rouser 200, was not stolen, although it appears to have been the initial target of the robbery.
Aragón, 30, was stationed at the Federal Police Sub-command. He sustained bullet impacts to the right chest region and in one leg. Officers from the Buenos Aires Provincial Police assisted him and he was urgently transported to Héroes de Malvinas Hospital, according to Primer Plano portal. He underwent surgical intervention, but entered intensive care in critical condition and died in the early hours.
A neighbour driving his car in the area nearly became the second victim. The driver of a Renault Sandero, 29, ended up in the line of fire: a projectile destroyed the rear window of his vehicle and grazed his skull. The man arrived at the emergency department of Héroes de Malvinas Hospital almost simultaneously with the wounded officer, was treated, and left on his own, out of danger.
The case was classified as aggravated homicide through use of a firearm and was placed under the charge of prosecutor Claudio Oviedo, of the Functional Investigation Unit UFI No. 5 of Morón.
At midday, the National Security Minister, Alejandra Monteoliva, expressed her condolences. "I deeply regret the murder of Nicolás Aragón, an officer of our Argentine Federal Police, during an attempted robbery in Merlo, Buenos Aires Province. I stand with his family, loved ones, and colleagues of the Force during this difficult time. To those responsible, let it be clear: we will work until we find you, arrest you, and bring you before Justice," the official stated.
Source: Google News AR — Buenos Aires