FBI San Juan
Public Affairs Officer Limary Cruz-Rubio
(787) 685-2066
October 10, 2014

FBI Presses Charges Against Samuel Lassalle-Gonzalez, Who Shot Police of Puerto Rico Officer Elias M. Abrams-Rodriguez

Special Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) San Juan Division announced that the FBI pressed charges against Samuel Lassalle-Gonzalez, who shot Police of Puerto Rico Officer Elias M. Abrams-Rodriguez on October 8, 2014. On October 10, 2014, the Police of Puerto Rico transferred the custody of Samuel Lassalle-Gonzalez to the FBI and was charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person: convicted felon.

A federal complaint states that on October 8, 2014, at approximately 8:08 p.m., a Police of Puerto Rico (POPR) agent and a municipal police officer (MPO) were conducting preventive patrol in the Municipality of Quebradillas, Puerto Rico. While patrolling, the POPR agent received a call indicating that there was a suspicious unknown male walking inside his backyard. When the agents arrived at the residence, they observed the unknown male walking towards the residence of a neighbor.

When the unknown male noticed the presence of the agents, he started running towards the back of the residence. Both agents ran after the unknown male in opposite directions. The POPR agent gave a verbal command to the unknown male, “Police, do not move,” to stop the individual and to let him know that the police were present. Subsequently, the MPO heard approximately four to five gunshots from where he was located. The MPO agent ran towards the POPR agent and found him laying wounded on the ground. The POPR agent advised the MPO agent that he was injured. While attending the POPR agent, the MPO agent heard footsteps nearby and observed the unknown male coming from the woods and walking towards them. The MPO agent gave verbal commands to the unknown male. The unknown male did not comply with the commands and continued walking towards them. The MPO agent shot the unknown male and wounded him in the right leg. The MPO agent saw the unknown male falling to the ground.

Thereafter, agents observed blood traces. While following the blood traces, the agents found the unknown male wounded on the ground. Police backup arrived and placed the unknown male under arrest. Further investigation identified the unknown male as Samuel Lassalle-Gonzalez.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to a maximum of 10 years in prison. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Amanda Soto and is being investigated by the FBI.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.