UCE SECURITY COMMISSION—RESTRICTED ARCHIVE REF. #R3459322-C32

CONFIDENTIAL WITNESS STATEMENT TRANSCRIPT (AUDIO)

Source: SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE COMMISSION FOR THE HOUSE OF WISDOM INCIDENT

TimeDate: 09:00:00 01.22.393

[VERIFIED IDENTIFICATION—SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE COMMISSION: See transcript section c03.2]

LEAD COUNCILOR: Please state your name and position for the record.

WITNESS: Alfonso Dietrich, security officer first class for the Unified North American Transportation Commission.

LEAD COUNCILOR: Do you affirm that during the course of this testimony you shall speak the whole truth as you know it and offer no intentionally misleading statements to the Special Investigative Commission?

WITNESS: Yes, I do.

LEAD COUNCILOR: Then we will begin. Please tell us about the events on Platform 2 of Fremont Station in East Presidio Bay on the night of January 17.

WITNESS: My shift began at 1700 on that day, and I began a foot patrol of Fremont Station at approximately 1745.

SECOND COUNCILOR: Did you undertake your patrol alone?

WITNESS: Yes, although I remained in radio contact with fellow officers. Heightened security protocols require thirty-minute check-in intervals.

SECOND COUNCILOR: Were you armed with a firearm or a suppression weapon?

WITNESS: No, of course not.

SECOND COUNCILOR: Not even under heightened security protocols?

WITNESS: I know you think we must all be in fear for our lives that close to the border, but it’s not like that. Presidio Bay is a safe place. Our purpose is to help people, not scare them.

THIRD COUNCILOR: We understand. Please continue, Officer Dietrich.

WITNESS: At approximately 1930, a woman approached me at the entrance to Platform 2 to report a man in need of assistance. She thought he might be a refugee newly granted citizenship. She was concerned that he needed medical attention, as he appeared unwell to her.

SECOND COUNCILOR: Did you summon your fellow officers for help?

WITNESS: What? No, of course not. The witness reported a man in need of aid. I went to render aid. The platform was mostly empty, and it was easy to locate the man. He was alone.

LEAD COUNCILOR: Did you recognize him?

WITNESS: Not at first. He was wearing a hooded jacket, as it was raining heavily that night. He was hunched over, holding his head in his hands. He did not appear to be armed and had no parcels or bags with him. I approached and asked if he needed help.

SECOND COUNCILOR: Now did you recognize him?

WITNESS: Yes. That is the point at which I made a positive identification of Gregory Lago. I didn’t address him by name, but I don’t think he was surprised to be recognized. I asked him again if he needed assistance, and he said, “It will be too late. I did everything wrong. I did it all wrong.”

THIRD COUNCILOR: I beg your pardon, Officer Dietrich, but are you sure about that? Dr. Lago stated to you that it will be too late? Not that it was already too late?

WITNESS: Yes. I am sure of it. I asked him what he meant, and he said, “I thought they wouldn’t understand.” I told him we could find somebody who understood. I told him his wife and his kids wanted him to come home. I shouldn’t have said that.

LEAD COUNCILOR: Why not? Isn’t that standard de-escalation protocol?

WITNESS: It is, but when I mentioned his family, Dr. Lago jumped to his feet. He was visibly distressed. He said, “It’s too late. I’ve already failed them. I was so arrogant. I’ve failed everybody. Tell them I’m sorry.” Then he ran for the tracks.

LEAD COUNCILOR: In your opinion, was his goal to flee or self-terminate?

WITNESS: The latter, Councilor. He knew the train was coming. He waited until just the right moment to jump.