members of the nationalist party had stored weapons in canales's house in jayuya. canales and the other leaders, including her cousin elio torresola and carlos irizarry, led the armed nationalists into the town and invaded the police station. shots were fired, one officer was killed, three were wounded, and the other officers surrendered. the nationalists cut the telephone lines and burned the u.s. post office. canales led the group into the town square where, in defiance of the puerto rico gag law, they raised the puerto rican flag. in the town square, canales declared puerto rico a free republic. torresola had a brother, griselio torresola, living in new york city, who was outraged by the attacks.