Leader of elite Mexican unit that apprehends US fugitive gunned down by one in Tijuana

TIJUANA, MEXICO- The Guardian reports that a Mexican police officer assigned to the elite international liaison unit known as “the Gringo Hunters” was shot and killed by a US fugitive in this city located close to the US-Mexico border. The unit specializes in arresting US citizens on the lam in Mexico. 

Since its establishment in 2002, the unit has been a beacon of hope, successfully cooperating with US authorities and apprehending over 1,600 fugitives who sought refuge in Mexico. 

The unit's expertise in identifying Americans in Mexico, who often struggle to assimilate into the culture, is truly remarkable. Their ability to spot telltale signs has led to the capture of a diverse range of fugitives, from former Playboy models to murderers, Catholic priests to pedophiles. 

Earlier this week, Gringo Hunters members were trying a arrest a suspect in Tijuana when the man opened fire, striking Abigail Espaarza Reyes, 33, the leader of the unit in the state of Baja California. 

Mexican media identified the suspect as Cesar Hernandez, 34, who escaped from a US prison in December, where he was serving a life sentence for murder. 

At the time of his escape, the media captured footage of him, showing him running across a field in an orange jumpsuit with an officer chasing after him. 

He was eventually tracked down by the Gringo Hunters to the Colonia Barcelona neighborhood, located about 30 miles from the US-Mexico border, and were conducting an operation to take him into custody, but were met with a hail of bullets. 

Esparza Reyes was pronounced dead at a local hospital. 

A manhunt ensued using drones and a helicopter, carried out by dozens of Mexican security forces, and Hernandez was cornered inside a house. Despite the cordon, he was able to flee the house. 

According to local media, Hernandez escaped while running with almost no clothes through the streets, ducked under a tarp covering a car, then emerged dressed in a fluorescent green uniform, described as being similar to uniforms worn by transport police. He then merely walked away, sources said. 

He has since been arrested in Tijuana, Baja California, after an intensive international manhunt.

State Governor Marina del Pilar posted on social media to express her condolences over the death of Reyes, who has overseen over 400 operations to arrest US fugitives in Mexico. 

“Abigail’s life will be honored and her death will not go unpunished,” del Pilar wrote.