Agent Luis A. Marrero-Diaz

Officer: Puerto Rico Police Department, Agent Luis A. Marrero-Diaz

Date: 1/11/2021                      Location: Carolina, Puerto Rico        FACTORS (1,2,4,8,15,19)

Perpetrator(s) Involved: David Rivera Batiz

Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, Batiz was a known member of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and had prior arrests for stolen vehicles and weapons violations./Yes, Batiz ambushed the officers with an illegally possessed weapon.

Mental Illness: None stated, however, Batiz demonstrated anti-social, psychotic behavior.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Unknown./None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: Latino/Male/25

What prompted the initial contact with the killer? On January 11, 2021, Agent Marrero-Diaz responded along with Carolina Police Agent Eliezer Hernandez-Cartagena to pursue David Batiz after he murdered Police Agent Salaman-Conde and fled in a stolen vehicle.

Actions taken by subject toward police: Batiz stopped during the pursuit and opened fire on the officers, fatally shooting his AK-47 at Agent Marrero-Diaz. Batiz then drove off in the stolen vehicle, fatally running over Agent Hernandez-Cartagena.

Reactions by the police: Batiz was gone by the time other officers arrived at the scene of the dead officers, so an intense manhunt was initiated.

How murdered? Agent Marrero-Diaz was shot by a semi-automatic rifle during a car pursuit of a known cop-killer.

What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? In the hands of a trained marksman the AK-47 can be used accurately at substantial distances, so Agent Marrero-Diaz did not stand much of a chance when Batiz suddenly stopped trying to drive away and instead began shooting at the officers.  

Would the officer had been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? Agent Marrero-Diaz was justified to use deadly force upon seeing Batiz as he was suspected of killing a cop and was an armed and dangerous fleeing felon. Short of shooting at Batiz out his window while driving after him, it is doubtful Agent Marrero-Diaz ever had a clear shot at Batiz that would not have endangered innocent civilian motorists.  

Outcome for the cop-killer: In a rare display of presumed street justice, a day after executing the officers Batiz was found shot dead and with a sign around his neck saying he was the murderer.