The US government offers an award of up to $ 35,000 for information leading to the arrest of a man sought after for the murder of the Tijuana chief of a state police unit looking for the American fugitives, the American Embassy of Mexico said on social networks on Friday.
César Moisés Hernández, a prisoner who was already wanted in the United States after having escaped a courthouse in California, would have killed Abigail Esparza Reyes, head of the international liaison group in Tijuana for the authorities of Baja California State Citizen Force, during a shooting on Wednesday in Tijuana, according to the authorities.
Friday, the colleagues police of the State police honored Esparza, 33, with a mass at the new metropolitan cathedral in Tijuana and a subsequent service outside the Tijuana control and command center.
The American consul general in Tijuana Christopher Teal also attended mass.
“His heroic and unshakable commitment to the security of the Americans and the Mexicans left an indelible mark on the communities she served,” he said in a statement.
Esparza, an 11 -year -old veteran from the state police, was part of an operation to apply the law on Wednesday to serve an arrest warrant against Hernández, which was located in the residential district of Barcelona de Tijuana.
The suspect would have opened fire during the operation, hitting Esparza, officials said. She was taken to the Tijuana Red Cross, where she died.
Over the past eight years, Esparza has led the Tijuana team of a unit specializing in the location of American fugitives in Mexico, a team nicknamed the Gringo hunters.
“Commander Esparza quickly increased in the ranks during his career and played a decisive role in the location and arrest of many criminals on both sides of the border. His tragic death is a great loss not only for the family of Commander Esparza, but also for the American diplomatic mission in Mexico, the application of the law in Baja in California, and our community, “said Teal.
“Her heritage of courage, integrity and commitment to justice will continue to inspire those who follow her traces. She has given her life in search of a safer future for all, and her memory will always remain in memories,” he added.
Hernández managed to run away during the multi-agencies operation and is now sought on on both sides of the border. Images of a security camera obtained by several Tijuana media show a man, supposed to be Hernández, run into underwear and turn into a yellow worker jacket.
The suspect had been on the run since December, when he escaped from Correctional Guard to Delano after arriving at the upper court of Kern. Hernández was sentenced in 2019 to 80 years for life with the possibility of parole for first degree murder in the County of Los Angeles.
A reward of $ 30,000 for information leading to his arrest was offered at the time.
The staff of the American marshals were in the region during the operation, the federal agency said in a statement: “But not involved in the shooting incident.”
“(USMS staff) provided Commander Esparza Reyes before succumbing to injuries,” said the agency. “We mourn his loss with his family, friends and colleagues. We will continue to help our international partners in associated surveys. Those who commit violence against law enforcement agents will be held responsible. ”
Hernández is considered armed and dangerous by those responsible. Anyone with information can call 887-926-8332 or visit Usmarshals.gov/Tips.
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