Cozumel, Q.R. — Cozumel Mayor José Luis Chacón Méndez has requested a detailed investigation into the death of a citizen. The citizen, who has since been identified as 47 year old William “Q”, died in hospital after being shot by local authorities.
Police were called to a private home in the El Mexicano neighborhood Sunday night regarding a dispute. The dispute arose when a fast food delivery man dropped off a takeout order and the man inside the house refused to pay or return the food.
The delivery man called police for assistance. When they arrived, officers were met with aggression from area residents who allegedly threw rocks to intimidate the officers into leaving. Faced with the escalating violence, Municipal Police cordoned off the area.
Navy personnel intervened, firing at least one shot. The man inside the house was hit in the leg, striking the femoral artery. Although he was immediately taken for medical attention, he bled to death. He was described by his neighbors as “conflictive”.
“The police arrived at the scene and were greeted with stones and assaults, and unfortunately, a firearm was fired. The State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) is investigating the events.
“The FGE says this wasn’t the first conflict to be addressed at that location. These things had been going on for many years and it’s unfortunate that the police were greeted like this… my condolences to the family,” Mayor Chacón Méndez explained Monday.
“We have already asked the State Attorney General’s Office to thoroughly investigate this case and will continue to provide updates,” he added.
He said it will be the Public Ministry who will determine responsibility since the incident is considered a delicate matter involving the use of lethal force. The officers involved in the incident have already been removed from their positions while Internal Affairs investigate.
