Bystander killed by police bullet

By Archie Whitworth

Herald staff

A police chase turned to tragedy yesterday afternoon in the City neighbourhood of San Telmo when a bystander was killed by a policeman in what was described as a freak accident.

According to eyewitness statements, a policeman was chasing two underage thieves across Paseo Colón at the Humberto Primo intersection when his service issued gun, stored in his belt, fell onto the road and accidentally discharged a shot, just before 4pm yesterday afternoon.

The bullet hit a pedestrian, identified as Ariel Domínguez, 22, who was also crossing the street. Domínguez, who worked at a nearby parcel delivery company, was struck by the bullet, which entered his neck and exited his skull. He was killed instantly.

According to reports, the policeman, who was identified only as Mendoza, dropped to his knees with his head in his hands when he realized what had happened. The police officer then informed his superiors, and within minutes the street was swarming with officers. The officer involved was removed from the scene.

When Herald journalists arrived at the scene just after 4pm yesterday afternoon, the area was crowded with people offering conflicting accounts of what had happened. However, it rapidly became clear that there had been a chase, that the policeman’s weapon had been fired, and that an innocent party had been hit and killed.

Although some media outlets initially reported that Domínguez had been “seriously wounded,” the black plastic bag covering his body told a different story.

As the crowd gathered, so did the police, who seemed unable to fully grasp the situation. Part of the pavement was blocked off, as was the road, which caused a traffic jam stretching back along the road in the direction of Government House.

An ambulance arrived, only to be sent away. Vans were manoeuvered into position, either blocking sight of the body or providing protection, only to be re-positioned. There was little sense of tragedy, and more of desperate confusion.

However, the tragedy became much more tangible when relatives arrived. Domínguez’s father clutched others for support as he wept uncontrollably. At this point, the scene and the emotion of those gathered changed from ghoulish speculation to sadness.

“This was no accident, this was negligence,” screamed Javier Domínguez, the victim’s distraught brother, at the waiting TV cameras.

It was announced at about 5.30 pm that Border Guards, recently deployed in the south of Buenos Aires to help tackle crime, would be working on the case as impartial investigators.