Stepson of slain Santa Isabel teacher summoned for questioning
Police are interviewing one of Cecil Lewis Matías's stepsons as they investigate the Oct. 6 shooting that killed the 49-year-old physical education teacher.
File photoThe short version
- El Vocero reports that CIC agents from Ponce summoned one of the stepsons of Cecil Lewis Matías to clarify possible economic disagreements
- The 49-year-old teacher was shot multiple times around 2:45 p.m. on Oct. 6 on Monserrate Street while picking up donations for a hospice
- More than 60 shell casings were recovered at the scene near his Toyota Tacoma; Lewis Matías had a gun license but weapons were at home
- Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that loved ones remembered him as a great human being who left a mark on the community
Investigation focuses on stepson
Agents of the Criminal Investigation Corps (CIC) of Ponce have summoned a young man identified as one of the stepsons of Cecil Lewis Matías, 49, who was murdered by gunfire on Tuesday, Oct. 6 in Santa Isabel. El Vocero reported. The interview seeks to determine whether there were economic disagreements between the teacher and his stepson.
The young man was located during the past weekend after several days of searching and was then cited as part of the inquiry. Lewis Matías was killed at about 2:45 p.m. on Monserrate Street as he left a residence where he had gone to collect a donation of items for a hospice. According to the preliminary investigation, two individuals shot him multiple times. More than 60 shell casings were recovered at the scene.
Details of the killing
When agents arrived, they found the body of Lewis Matías on the pavement near his Toyota Tacoma. The teacher held a license to carry firearms, but the weapons remained stored at his residence at the time of the events, El Vocero said. He had worked for more than a decade at a school in the Playita Cortada neighborhood and was suspended from his duties as a physical education teacher.
In March he had appeared before the House of Representatives Education Commission with other teachers to denounce what they described as excessive precautionary measures taken by the Department of Education.
Farewell and community reaction
His remains were to be on view until 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Funeraria El Cemí, followed by burial at the municipal cemetery. Friends, former students and relatives attended to bid him farewell, while residents of the municipality described him on social media as a person dedicated to helping others, according to El Vocero.
Telemundo Puerto Rico reported that loved ones said goodbye and remembered him as a great human being who left his mark.
Where the sources differ
Both sources cover the murder of Cecil Lewis Matías in Santa Isabel. El Vocero, published Oct. 13, provides the most detailed account including the summoning of the stepson for questioning about possible economic disagreements, the exact time and circumstances of the shooting, the recovery of more than 60 shell casings, the teacher's gun license, his employment and suspension, his March legislative appearance, and funeral arrangements. Telemundo Puerto Rico, published Oct. 12, focuses on the family's farewell and how loved ones remembered him as a great human being who left a mark; it adds no conflicting facts but offers less detail on the police investigation.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state whether the stepson has been named a suspect or only a witness, the current status of the investigation, the identities or arrest status of the two shooters, any motive beyond the possible economic disagreement, the exact relationship between the victim and the stepson, or whether additional witnesses have been identified. No information is given on the content of the planned interview with the stepson or any next steps in the case.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Citan a declarar a hijastro de maestro asesinado en Santa Isabel
- Reporting Dejó huellas: piden justicia para maestro asesinado en Santa Isabel
How we checked this
El Vocero supplied nearly all the factual details on the killing, the police inquiry and the victim's background. Telemundo Puerto Rico added only the family's description of the deceased as a great human being. No other sources were used.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.