Illinois father shot dead in Mexico while visiting family – NBC Chicago

An Illinois father was fatally shot in Mexico while visiting relatives for the holidays, relatives say.

Jesús Macías was reportedly shot dead on December 30 in the central Mexican state of Zacatecas after refusing to stop at what his family described as an improvised checkpoint by unknown assailants. The 50-year-old had traveled to Mexico to spend time with his mother, wife and child.

Although they are U.S. citizens, their relatives said Mexican authorities were uncooperative and provided no response.

“We just want to know why this happened and who is responsible,” said Macías’ niece, Lucero Rivas. “He deserves justice.”

Loved ones and community leaders, with the help of the nonprofit United Giving Hope, will gather at 2 p.m. Sunday in Waukegan to implore the U.S. government to intervene.

NBC Chicago and Telemundo Chicago contacted Mexican authorities for comment on the case, but they declined to provide information.