Cozumel, Q.R. — Five police officers from Cozumel have been suspended for their alleged involvement in a recent targeted shooting. The officers were suspended after a review by the Committee of Honor and Justice of the Municipal Police.
Cozumel Mayor Juanita Alonso Marrufo said the decision was made after the shooting victim, Cristian “T”, filed an official complaint. That complaint began an internal investigation that so far, has lead to the suspension of the five island officers.
Marrufo says that that internal investigation is separate from another investigation initiated by the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE). She added that after a review of video surveillance footage, officials found discrepancies.
One of the suspended officers included Jesús “R”, Deputy Director of Operations, who was named by Cristian “T” in his complaint.
“That person in the investigations, in the videos specifically does not appear, however, he was denounced by the victim of the events near the address and through the Prosecutor’s Office,” Marrufo said adding that “there is also an investigation on our part, so was also suspended.”
According to the victim’s complaint, during his arrest 36 hours before the shooting, Cristian “T” claimed that officers photographed him so that the gunman that was known after him would be able to identify him.
On October 13, Cristian “T” was shot at while walking past a shopping area. He had just been released from a 36-hour arrest when the targeted attack took place. One of the bullets aimed at him penetrated a glass window. He was not injured in the attack.
Mayor Juanita Alonso Marrufo said that the Honor and Justice Committee set a maximum of 10 days to finish their internal investigation, during which time, the officers will remain suspended.
