Dominican Republic cabinet minister ‘slain by close friend’ in own office

The Dominican Republic’s minister of the environment and natural resources Orlando Jorge Mera (left) — the son of a former president — was shot to death in his office by a close friend on Monday, the office of the president said in a statement (Walter Astrada/AP)

The Dominican Republic’s environment minister — who was also the son of a former president — was fatally shot in his office by a close friend on Monday, the office of the president said in a statement.

Authorities said Orlando Jorge Mera was shot by Fausto Miguel de Jesus Cruz de la Mota, who was later arrested at a church dozens of blocks away after telling a priest he had committed a crime and handed over a gun to him.