A fatal confrontation between a wanted suspect and law enforcement unfolded in the Dominican Republic’s southwestern province of Azua Friday afternoon, ending in the death of 31-year-old Junior Alexander Peña following an alleged gun battle with operatives from the Central Directorate of Criminal Investigation (Dicrim).
The incident took place on the main thoroughfare of the La Palmita neighborhood, located within Tábara Arriba municipality, according to initial official statements. Peña was already the target of five active arrest warrants at the time of the planned operation, law enforcement officials confirmed.
Preliminary accounts from authorities, backed by a forensic certificate from the Dominican National Institute of Forensic Science (INACIF), outline that the suspect spotted the Dicrim agents approaching before drawing a loaded firearm and opening fire multiple times. After exchanging gunfire, Peña barricaded himself inside a local residence with a zinc roof. In response to the attack, Dicrim agents returned fire, inflicting life-threatening injuries on the suspect that ultimately proved fatal.
Following the conclusion of the operation, law enforcement personnel secured two illicit firearms from the scene: a semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Browning, and a second unbranded black pistol. Investigators also recovered a collection of spent 9mm caliber shell casings as evidence for ongoing procedural review.