Pacific

Acting Attorney-General Rachelle Bergeron shot dead in Yap state

16:11 pm on 15 October 2019

The death of Yap state's acting attorney general has been confirmed by the Federated States of Micronesia government.

Police have opened a homicide investigation after Rachelle Bergeron was shot dead on Monday night.

Rachelle Bergeron. Photo: Facebook / Yap State Government Public Information Service

Police suspect a single shooter was behind the the US citizen's death.

The national government has confirmed the US citizen's death.

"The State of Yap, with the assistance of the FSM Department of Justice and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, are coordinating efforts to complete a thorough investigation," it said in a statement.

"We will disseminate information as it becomes publicly available."

Earlier today, police said Rachelle Bergeron was shot Monday night at about 7 or 8pm.

A motive was unclear, with police investigations ongoing, spokesperson Ryan Fratmag said.

"They are working on the case right now."

Ms Bergeron first arrived in Yap from the US in 2015, taking up the position of assistant attorney general before being promoted to acting attorney general in January.