The Dominican Republic's environment minister, Orlando Jorge Mera, was shot dead in his office on Monday 6th June, authorities said.

A spokesman for the president's office, Homero Figueroa, said in a video posted to twitter on Monday afternoon that a suspect, identified as Miguel Cruz, was arrested.

Figueroa said Cruz was a childhood friend of the minister, without giving a potential motive for the attack.

Employees at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources told journalists that they heard at least seven shots from within the building. Police units arrived on the scene shortly after.

Spokesman For Dominican Republic Presidency, Homero Vega, Said:

“The Minister of the Environment (Orlando Jorge Mera) lost his life when he was attacked in his office with a firearm. Miguel Cruz, the person identified as the one who shot was a friend of the deceased minister, the person responsible is under the custody of the national police and the public ministry. The reasons for the fact are under investigation in a timely manner we will continue to share more information.”

Mera, a 55-year-old lawyer, was the son of former President Salvador Jorge Blanco, who was in office from 2002 to 2006.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Selma Villegas, and his two children. His son, Orlando Jorge Villegas, is a federal legislator and member of the Modern Revolutionary Party.

The president and the government have made themselves available to the minister's family, Figueroa said.

^{PHOTO: DRONE FOOTAGE OF MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC / SOUNDBITE FROM DOMINICAN DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT STRATEGY AND COMMUNICATION ON ORLANDO JORGE MERA'S MURDER / PEOPLE OUTSIDE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT / SOUNDBITE FROM NEWS REPORTER ON MURDER}