Justice Department Secretary Lourdes L. Gómez Torres reported that the Bayamón prosecutor’s office filed criminal charges against Ismael Rivera Figueroa for the killing of his neighbor, Ralphie Franco Ortiz, and the attempted murder of José L. Ledesma Franco, in events that took place in Dorado. According to the investigation, Franco Ortiz and Ledesma Franco, stepfather and stepson, were neighbors of Rivera Figueroa.
Both had cleared a lot next to their home that belonged to none of the parties. Rivera Figueroa arrived and dumped trash on the lot. He then pulled out a machete and tried to attack Ledesma Franco but failed to wound him.
He then drew a firearm and shot at both men. Ledesma Franco was not hit, while Franco Ortiz was struck by a bullet and died. Prosecutor Carlos J. Rodríguez Rodríguez filed charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and endangering public safety by firing a weapon under articles 93(a) and 249(c) of the Puerto Rico Penal Code, plus charges of carrying, transporting or using firearms without a license and of firing or aiming firearms under articles 6.05 and 6.14 of the Puerto Rico Weapons Act.
Judge Milagros Muñiz Mas of the Bayamón Court of First Instance found probable cause for arrest on all charges and set total bail at $1,800,000. He did not post bail and was jailed. The preliminary hearing is set for October 19. Agent Arlene Fernández of the CIC Homicide Division in Bayamón led the investigation.