Soldier arrested for triple homicide at Santo Domingo Air Base, Táchira
Soldier Raymond Paz was detained following a shooting that left three military personnel dead at Santo Domingo Air Base. An AK103 rifle with ammunition was seized from him.
Soldier accused of killing three military personnel at Táchira air base captured
Soldier Raymond Paz was captured in a wooded area near Santo Domingo Air Base in Táchira state following a shooting that left three military personnel dead and at least two wounded, primicia.com.ve reported on Friday.
Táchira governor Freddy Bernal confirmed the arrest and specified that the capture was carried out by the Army's Special Operations Unit. At the moment of arrest, an AK103 rifle with serial number 071657972, three magazines and 89 cartridges were seized from the soldier.
"Seventy-two hours ago, in a strange reaction within the air base itself, he fired at a young lieutenant and two other colleagues, causing their deaths. He then fired at three more people," Bernal stated.
Among the fatalities is Lieutenant Víctor Moreno, who died shortly after being transferred to the Diagnostic Centre in El Piñal. Two sergeants also lost their lives within the military base facilities.
The wounded were identified as sergeants José Cordero Pacheco, aged 19, and Deimar Alejandra Merchán. Both received first aid at the centre and were later transferred to San Cristóbal Central Hospital, according to Román Camacho.
Bernal described the shooting as "unusual" and noted that all state security authorities participated in the search for the soldier following the incident. Paz was found in the vicinity of the base and handed over to military intelligence.
"It will be up to the investigating authorities to determine what happened and whether it was mental health problems or what drove him to commit such a tragic act," the governor added. The case will be processed before the competent courts.
Source: Google News DO — Santo Domingo