9-year-old American boy shot to death by muggers minutes after arriving in Dominican Republic with family

The thieves reportedly opened fire on the family’s vehicle when they refused to stop, resulting in Feli being struck in the head. He subsequently passed away in the hospital while undergoing surgery, according to the Daily Mail.

Authorities have arrested five men who were accused of the shooting, with the youngest being 18 years old, per the report. The horrifying event transpired right after the family had been picked up by an unnamed friend of the father, Sergio Luis Feliz Macebo.

After the criminals had opened fire on the vehicle the family was in, they reportedly fled in a white Hyundai that police were able to use to track them down after the event. A press release stated that the accused men “admitted their participation” in the botched mugging.

Following the arrests, a police spokesperson said: “These detainees were captured by video surveillance cameras in this terminal and from there they followed the father of the victim.”

The boy’s death has shaken the Dominican Republic, with President Luis Abinader praising the capture and arrest of the accused, saying: “Since I found out about the death of the child Gioser Luis Feliz, I have been following up on the case.”

“I have been informed by the Director of the National Police about the arrest of the 5 criminals who committed this horrendous crime. Now justice must be ensured in the courts.”

No motive or connection between the family and the criminals has been established. The investigation is still ongoing.