May 20, 2007 12:36 pm US/Eastern
Conflicting Stories Arise In Fatal Bronx Shooting
by Scott Weinberger
BRONX (CBS) ―
A man's minivan exploded into flames moments after fleeing from an altercation with an off duty New York City police officer in the Bronx.
Sources say the driver, 41-year-old Fermin Arzu died not from the fire, but a bullet to the back, fired by 37-year-old Raphael Lora.
"We heard gunshots, like six or seven," said Geraldo Reyes. "Right after that we see the van slamming into his car, then it jumped on the sidewalk slammed into the wall, then sounded like he accelerated because I heard the motor go up and then slammed into the pole."
CBS 2 has also learned the Lora's version of events. Sources say the incident began with the minivan slamming into several parked cars on Hewitt Place. Upon hearing the noise, the off-duty officer stepped out from his home and confronted the driver.
Sources say the Lora reached through the driver's window to pull him out of the car, when a struggle ensued. Lora told investigators he noticed Arzu reach for the glove compartment. That's when he claims he pulled his service weapon.
At this point the details become sketchy. While Lora claims he fired his weapon at close range, witnesses told investigators the off duty officer was seen shooting at the van as it sped away.
Sources close to the investigation tell CBS 2 that bullet holes found in the minivan support that theory.
While the officer told investigators he believed he had fired just once, sources say he fired his weapon at least five times.
"He's a very good person, said Dory Comacho, a friend of the officer. "In a situation where there's any weird noises or anything that happens he's always out here to find out what's going on."
Within a few hours, the shooting scene on Hewitt Place drew a large number of high-ranking members of the NYPD including the police commissioner himself.
CBS 2 has learned no weapon was recovered from the minivan.
The medical examiner's office confirmed the Arzu died from a single gunshot that entered his back and pierced his heart.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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