Two dead in police confrontations raise September fatalities to 39 in Dominican Republic
Two men wanted for crimes died in alleged shootouts with police in Santo Domingo Este and Oeste. The total number of deaths in police operations in September reaches 39.
Two new deaths in police operations bring September count to 39
Diariolibre.com reports that the National Police announced on Monday the death of two men with outstanding arrest warrants, who allegedly confronted officers in separate incidents that occurred in different sectors of Santo Domingo.
Police spokesman Diego Pesqueira identified the first fatality as Neyfi T. Monegro, alias "La Parita", aged 29. Monegro was wounded during an operation carried out Monday morning in the Maquiteria sector, on 25 de Febrero Avenue in Santo Domingo Este, and died afterwards.
According to Pesqueira, Monegro was wanted via several arrest warrants related to armed robbery and injury to third parties.
"This person was actively wanted for multiple criminal acts, with several arrest warrants for armed robbery and also for having inflicted injuries on other people," the spokesman declared.
The preliminary version from the Police indicates that the man allegedly resisted agents from the Central Investigation Directorate (Dicrim) when they attempted to arrest him. Pesqueira warned that the case remains under investigation and that the institution will offer additional details later.
The second fatality was identified as Junior Antonio Cuevas Toribio, alias "Viño", who died during an alleged confrontation that occurred Sunday night in the El Libertador de Herrera sector, Santo Domingo Oeste.
Pesqueira noted that Cuevas Toribio had accumulated more than 19 complaints for robberies, theft and other crimes, in addition to multiple arrest warrants. According to the police version, the man fired at a patrol unit with a .38 calibre revolver.
"This person attacked police officers with a .38 calibre revolver, which was seized from him," Pesqueira stated.
Cuevas Toribio was wounded during the incident and died whilst receiving medical attention. The Police link him furthermore to an incident that occurred on 30 August in Herrera, in which eight people were injured. Investigations continue.
Pesqueira also referred to a double homicide recorded between La Caleta and Boca Chica. The victims were identified as Francis Vásquez, alias "Nono", aged 19, and Julissa Rosario, aged 18. According to the preliminary report, both were walking along the Las Américas motorway when unknown assailants travelling by motorcycle attacked them with gunfire. The two young people were injured and died afterwards.
"Investigations are being expanded in relation to this case, which is well advanced, to identify, locate and arrest the perpetrators and bring them before justice," Pesqueira declared. The spokesman indicated that the activities the victims were engaged in remain under investigation.
In another case, the Police reported the detention of Rafaela Carpio Báez, aged 27, accused of causing the death of Yafreisi Martínez, aged 36, in Anamuya, La Altagracia province. According to the institution, both women were involved in a conflict whose circumstances continue to be investigated. Carpio Báez is attributed with having caused a wound to Martínez's leg that proved fatal. The detainee will be placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry for the request of the corresponding coercive measure. Pesqueira characterised the incident as a "social conflict".
The two deaths in confrontations with officers occur in a context of sustained increase in fatalities during police interventions. A count published on Monday tallied 37 people dead in September in incidents reported by the Police as "shootouts", of which 23 died between 18 and 25 of that month. With the two new cases, the total rises to 39. Santo Domingo leads the records with 11 cases. Throughout September 2025, 14 deaths had been tallied in similar circumstances.
Source: Google News DO — Santo Domingo