Mexico Citizens Attack Police Over Killing of 27-Year-Old; 4 Police Officers Under Investigation

Angry residents of a town in Mexico called Lerdo de Tejeda in Vera Cruz state attacked police officers and overturned a police car. They also attacked the city hall. The attacks came after police allegedly shot and killed a 27-year-old man, leading to four police officers being investigated.

The citizens who clashed with police in Mexico were described as neighbors of the victim, Brando Arellano Cruz, who was shot to death by police while he was driving on his way to his grandmother's house. Reports indicated that Arellano Cruz did not stop when he reached a police checkpoint, according to Sky News.

His family speculated that he did not stop his car because local residents mistrusted the security forces and that many in the Mexican town were afraid of them.

"Once he had parked, they opened fire against the car and killed him instantly, shooting him in the jugular like cowards," the victim's father, Delfino Arellano Ramirez, told reporters. "My son died instantly."

He arrived at the scene after the incident and saw his son already dead, telling reporters about his experience, saying, "I saw that my son was on his face and was already dripping blood."

This led an angry crowd of residents to target the officers allegedly involved in the shooting. They attacked police cars and even broke the windows of the town hall. One officer reportedly fled the scene, while four people were taken to a hospital by Vera Cruz state police.

Soon after Arellano Cruz's death, Maria Esther Arroniz Lopez, mayor of Lerdo de Tejada, released a statement that said that she was "deeply sorry" for the loss of the young man but added she "strongly condemned" the protesters, who she said "took advantage of this misfortune."

"A group of people agitate citizenship to feed hatred, vandalism, and social instability," she added in her statement. "The damages caused by the fire in part of the municipal palace, two patrols, and a transport unit of the municipal DIF, are also not justified. Violence is not the answer; in these times where we must stand together and respect a family's pain."

Four Mexico Police Officers Being Investigated Over Death of Resident

Those same people who were hospitalized are all police officers and they are now under investigation over the shooting, per the Associated Press. The Veracruz Public Security Department is leading that investigation.

However, the identities of the four officers that the Veracruz Public Security Department is investigating have not been released so far.

Security forces have been known to act without impunity in the town and this has led to many residents being afraid of dealing with them.

Alleged Victim of 4 Mexico Police Officers' Attack Last Spoke With His Father

Delfino Arellano Ramirez also revealed that it was he who spoke with his son last. He stated that his son called him and told him that he was being followed by police. Arellano Ramirez then admitted that his son stopped the car when he arrived at his grandmother's house but then he was shot.

The father said he heard two shots, according to VOA News. He, his wife, and his daughter, soon rushed to the scene, with the victim's mother and father rebuking the police officers. However, the officers intimidated them and told them that they had nothing to do with what happened.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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