A 52-year-old woman identified as María del Rosario was “collateral damage” in Sunday’s fatal shooting of a state police agent in Tijuana’s Guaycura neighborhood, Baja California’s Secretary of Public Safety confirmed Monday at a press conference in Mexicali.
The slain officer, Silvano Méndez Aguilar, 38, was a member of the Fuerza Estatal de Seguridad Ciudadana (FESC), the state’s primary police force. He was off duty when a gunman opened fire around 11:00 a.m. on Calle Comondú in the Cerro Colorado district. Méndez Aguilar was standing outside a small grocery store he owned. He died after being transported to IMSS Clinic 1.
Officer Ran Clandestine Casino Behind Store
Reports from multiple Mexican outlets revealed that Méndez Aguilar operated an illegal slot machine mini-casino behind his store, which also functioned as a beer shop. The shooting took place near several stalls of a mercado sobre ruedas, or traveling street market, in the area.
María del Rosario was hit during the attack and received paramedic treatment at the scene before being taken to a hospital. Her condition has not been updated publicly. The state security secretary said Governor Marina del Pilar has ordered support for the families of both victims.
Agent Previously Served as Bodyguard
Méndez Aguilar had nearly three years of service with the FESC. Until February 1, he served as a bodyguard for Tecate municipal official Sarahí Osuna Arce. When authorities determined Osuna Arce was no longer at risk, Méndez Aguilar was reassigned to the Escuadrón Violeta unit, a division within the state security agency.
The shooter fled on foot after the attack. No arrests have been announced, and authorities have released no details about a suspect or motive. The state attorney general’s office is investigating.
Nine Homicides in Tijuana in 24 Hours
Méndez Aguilar’s killing was one of nine homicides recorded in Tijuana within a single 24-hour period, according to Semanario ZETA. The FESC has also recently faced other deadly attacks on its officers. In April 2025, FESC Commander Abigail Esparza Reyes was shot and killed during an arrest operation near Tijuana.
The Baja California Secretary of Public Safety condemned what it called a “cowardly attack” against Méndez Aguilar in an official statement released Sunday.
This story was first reported by Punto Norte and Semanario ZETA.