Student dies in Dominican Republic anti-tax protests

Santo Domingo. – A 22-year old student of medicine was shot in the chest and died while taking part in a protest against the tax reform on the campus of the Santo Domingo State University USASD, where he becomes the first victim of the mounting demonstrations staged by the various sectors opposed to the legislation.

In the incident which took the life of Willy Florian Warden Ramirez (Bobo) a bus driver identified only as Jose Alberto was also injured by a bullet to the leg.

The student, who was in the fifth semester, was taken wounded to the National Police Central Hospital located several blocks from the USASD campus, where he was pronounced dead.

Since early morning Thursday the State University students began demonstrations against tax reform by hurling stones at some campus buildings, clashing with Police agents who fired semiautomatic weapons and tear gas.

Investigation

On Thursday afternoon, National Police chief Jose A. Polanco announced the start of an investigation into the fatal shooting.