George Steven Lopez Mercado: Gay Puerto Rican Teen Murdered
Posted by Mike E on November 16, 2009
George Steven Lopez Mercado, murdered gay teen, Puerto Rico
This report appeared on Towleroad. Thanks to Adam Richmond for calling attention.
Gay Puerto Rican Teen Decapitated, Dismembered, and Burned
Over the weekend the brutalized body of gay teen George Steven Lopez Mercado was found by the side of a road in Puerto Rico.
The police investigator suggested that he deserved what he got because of the “type of lifestyle” he was leading.
Mercado According to an iReport by Chrisopher Pagan:
“On November 14 the body of a gay 19 year old was found a few miles away from the town in which he was residing in called Caguas. He was a very well known person in the gay community of Puerto Rico, and very loved. He was found on the site of an isolated road in the city of Cayey, he was partially burned, decapitated, and dismembered, both arms, both legs, and the torso. This has caused a huge reaction from the gay community here, but its a difficult situation. Never in the history of Puerto Rico has a murder been classified as a hate crime. Even though we have to follow federal mandates and laws, many of the laws in which are passed in the USA such as Obama’s new bill, do not always directly get practiced in Puerto Rico. The police agent that is handling this case said on a public televised statement that ‘people who lead this type of lifestyle need to be aware that this will happen’. As If the boy murdered Jorge Steven Lopez was asking to get killed…”
Here’s a report on the murder (in Spanish) from PrimeraHora.com. Said activist Pedro Julio Serrano:
“It is inconceivable that the investigating officer suggests that the victim deserved his fate, like a woman deserves rape for wearing a short skirt. We demand condemnation of this investigator and demand that Superintendente Figueroa Sancha replace him with someone capable of investigating this case without prejudice.” (my translation, please suggest a better one if you can).
sks said
Man this has really mobilized the activists in Puerto Rico… thank you for posting!
Mike E said
can you share where it is discussed in PR?
Si said
I hope that some hardened criminal chops up that police investigator some day and gives him what he deserves for having a the lifestyle of a useless pig.
hl said
I can’t believe the town were I spent four years living as a child has come to this horrific display of bias! And To think that there are still ignorent police officers protecting ( or doing a horrible job at it! Clearly..) our beautiful island is just unbelievable to me. My condolences to this unfortunate young mans family. May God give them strength and solice in this time of sorrow. Que dios los bendiga!
Wilma Hernandez said
Why ? this things are happening! Is it going to stop? I am very sorry for the family – Young kid! People have to respect the opinions of others and learn also how to forgive! No matter who he was! what he was! WE ALL DESERVE RESPECT!!!!!!!
tmartinez said
Dats so sad…my heart goes out 2 his family..and it is tru we r in a new age now whateva people decide is their decision who are we 2 judge only God …that’s a disgrace 2 our island whoever did this desrves whateva God puts on them …and 2 dat cop he got no shame what if it was his family….pobresito to mercado may he get justice and rest in peace…
la isla imposible said
here’s a good article by two outstanding gay comrades in puerto rico, for spanish speakers; i’d translate, but am short on time – if anyone’s up to the task, i know the authors would welcome it:
http://pr.indymedia.org/news/2009/11/40076.php
Jim Wilson said
The name of the ” invetigating officer ” should be posted, and his disgusting bigotry exposed to the world. That supposedly respectful cop is the lowest form of animal life proven by his own words. Gay and Civil rights activists should go after his job and force the authorities to strip him of his job. In my opinion, creeps like this guy are every bit as bad as the person who did the crime, because their attitude promotes such violence.
Kathy said
REST IN PEACE GEORGE STEVEN LOPEZ MERCADO YO NOSE COMO PUEDE EXISTIR GENTE ASI Y ESPECIALMENTE EN LA ISLA QUE CONSIDERO MI HOGAR QUE DESCANSES EN PAZ DIOS BENDIGA A TU FAMILIA HOY MAÑANA Y SIEMPRE