The radio industry lost a pair of broadcasters on Thursday, Feb. 16, as radio journalists Luis Manuel Medina and Leónidas Martínez were shot and killed during a Facebook Live broadcast at FM 103.5 in San Pedro de Macorís in the Dominican Republic.
According to reports, Medina, a presenter for the “Milenio Caliente” news program, was killed in the recording booth while filming the Facebook Live broadcast; Martínez, a director and producer for the station, was also shot and killed by a gunman. A secretary at the station, Dayana García, was shot in the stomach during the attack and is in serious condition, per a United Press International report.
Footage of the video features the sound of gunfire and a voice shouting “Shots, shots, shots,” before it cuts off. The BBC has reported that three men have been arrested in relation to the incident but have not yet been charged. A spokesperson for the police office in San Pedro de Macorís told the Committee to Protect Journalists that it could not release details about the investigation or a possible motive, but that at least 12 individuals have been interviewed.
