Dominican Republic cabinet minister, 55, shot dead by his childhood friend PHOTO / VIDEO

The Dominican Republic's minister of the environment and natural resources - the son of a former president - was shot and killed in his office on Monday by his childhood friend.

Orlando Jorge, 55, was shot by Miguel Cruz, who fled the scene and sought refuge at a church in the Santo Domingo neighborhood of Enriquillo, Daily Mail reports.

Photo: Orlando Jorge (left) and Miguel Cruz (right)

A spokesperson for the Jesus Christ High and Eternal Priest Parish told Dominican newspaper Listín Diario that Cruz walked into the church and told the priest, 'I came here because I just killed a person.'

National District Mayor Carolina Mejía was inside the building and walking to Jorge's office for a scheduled meeting with the minister when her security detail heard shots. She was turned away from an elevator and escorted out. 

Cruz's motive for the shooting Jorge was not immediately apparent to investigators.

'We express our deepest condolences,' the office of President Luis Abinader said.

Jorge comes from a powerful political family. He is the son of former Dominican President Salvador Jorge Blanco, who ruled the country from 1982 to 1986.