Police Brutality in Santo Domingo: Security Footage Exposes Death of 22-Year-Old

Santo Domingo Oeste: Police Brutality Leads to Death of 22-Year-Old Santo Domingo Oeste, Dominican Republic – A 22-year-old man, Jhon Kor Reyes, died in police custody on May 7, 2025, sparking outrage and calls for accountability. Security camera footage obtained by CDN Canal 37 shows police officers carrying Reyes' lifeless body from a police station in Buenos Aires de Herrera. An autopsy performed by INACIF revealed Reyes suffered severe blunt force trauma to his chest, the cause of death. "They told me at the morgue that he had supposedly died of a heart attack," said Reyes' mother in an emotional interview. "But this is not true. The video shows several officers involved, and I demand justice for my son." The Public Ministry has charged Police Sergeant Angel Luis Buten Almonte with homicide. The case highlights ongoing concerns about police brutality in the Dominican Republic. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 7, 2025. This tragic incident underscores the need for greater police transparency and accountability to prevent future deaths in custody.