Police: Suspect in slaying of 3 Puerto Rico officers is dead

By Suzie Ziegler 

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Authorities confirmed Wednesday that the man suspected of killing three police officers this week is dead. 

According to The Associated Press, the suspected gunman was found fatally shot Tuesday with a cardboard sign on his chest declaring him guilty. The man was identified as 25-year-old David Rivera Bátiz. Officials said his death is being investigated as a “possible street justice killing,” according to the AP. 

Officials said the sign left on the body read: “I am responsible for the killing of the policeman(men). Here it is.” 

“Police don’t have anything to do with the murder of this individual,” Lt. Col. Rolando Trinidad said at a news conference. 

Police said Bátiz was from the Puerto Rican city of Ponce where he was suspected in several unrelated killings. 

The three police officers were killed Monday while working a case that began in the city of Carolina and ended in San Juan. Officials said Bátiz was involved in a car accident and pulled out a gun when police arrived, according to the AP. The suspect tried to steal a motorcycle from an officer but failed and shot the officer. Bátiz then hijacked a civilian driver’s car and shot at other cops while fleeing. 

Two of the deceased officers were shot and a third was run over. They were identified as Agents Luis A. Marrero-Díaz, Eliezer Hernández-Cartagena and Luis X. Salamán-Conde. A fourth officer was injured.