Othón P. Blanco, Q.R. — Two police officers are in the custody of state authorities after the death of young man. On Thursday, 24 year old Fernando “Y” died while in police custody after being arrested in Sac-Xan, a community approximately 23 kilometers from Chetumal.
On Thursday night, family of the deceased were outside the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) headquarters of Chetumal demanding to know what happened. A large group of people protested outside the building, setting fire to one police vehicle.
According to preliminary reports, the incident occurred during a police intervention in which two state police officers allegedly attempted to make an arrest. Grounds for the arrest are unknown.
The young man is alleged to have died while in custody. The officers have reportadly claimed the arrested youth died from aspiration. An autopsy will determine the actual cause.
Details surrounding the death of the youth are not clear, however, there are allegations of police brutality.
In a statement Friday morning, the State Attorney General (FGE) said “the FGE Quintana Roo opened an investigation related to the death of a man in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco, which occurred during a police intervention.
“Due to this incident, two police officers are at the disposal of this social representation as part of the investigations. The Attorney General’s Office will carry out the necessary procedures, including the practice of the legal autopsy, to determine the exact causes of death.
“This autonomous body reiterates its commitment to thoroughly investigate the actions of the officers involved in the intervention and clarify the facts in accordance with the law.”
