Suspect with arrest warrant kills police sergeant before being shot dead

A violent confrontation erupted at a police station in Luján when a suspect with an outstanding arrest warrant produced a firearm and began shooting. The incident resulted in the death of a 33-year-old sergeant and the suspect being killed by another officer.

The suspect, identified as Alex Ezequiel Romero, arrived at the Open Door police station (3rd precinct) with a warrant for threats issued by the Mercedes Guarantee Court No. 1. According to official reports, Romero allegedly drew a firearm from his clothing and opened fire.

During the exchange of gunfire, Sergeant Neri Malcon Churquina sustained a fatal head wound. Despite being rushed to the Zonal Hospital Nuestra Señora de Luján, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. Churquina was married with a five-year-old son.

Sub-lieutenant Agustín Larravide, also 33, was wounded in the right hand but returned fire with his service weapon, killing Romero inside the station. The incident prompted a significant police response and the involvement of Gendarmerie Nacional experts for evidence collection and reconstruction.

In a separate event, Police Commissioner Fernando Ponce was killed in La Matanza while confronting four armed robbers who attempted to steal his vehicle. Ponce, who was off-duty and with his daughter, identified himself as a police officer, leading to a brief shootout. He was shot in the abdomen and died before reaching a local medical center. One of the alleged assailants was apprehended later at a hospital, reportedly wearing an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet.