Three suspects, including a 16-year-old, were arrested Monday after allegedly luring a 31-year-old tamarind vendor to his death with a fake bulk purchase order in Tijuana’s Lomas Conjunto Residencial neighborhood.
The victim, identified as Usiel Fernando, sold tamarind products in the city. According to authorities, the suspects contacted him with a fraudulent order for 10 kilograms of tamarind, directing him to a convenience store on Calle Montes Urales around 3 p.m.
When Usiel Fernando arrived in his blue Toyota Camry, the three suspects approached the vehicle and opened fire. Investigators recovered approximately a dozen 9mm shell casings from the scene. The vendor was killed on the spot.
Suspects Fled on Foot Before Quick Arrest
After the shooting, the suspects fled on foot to a gray vehicle waiting nearby. Tijuana municipal police responded quickly, tracking all three to the Vicente Guerrero neighborhood, a short distance from the scene.
Authorities identified the suspects as Ángel, 19; Luis, 25; and an unnamed minor, age 16. All three were turned over to the Baja California State Prosecutor’s Office (FGE) for investigation.
Premeditated Lure Tactic Raises Concern
The case stands out for the premeditated method used to set up the killing. By placing what appeared to be a legitimate bulk order, the suspects controlled the exact time and location of the victim’s arrival. The tactic gave them a predictable window to carry out the attack at a spot of their choosing.
The shooting is the latest in a pattern of targeted killings in Tijuana’s residential neighborhoods. Lomas Conjunto Residencial sits in the eastern part of the city, an area of hillside housing developments that has seen periodic violence. The Vicente Guerrero neighborhood, where the arrests took place, borders the same zone.
A motive for the killing has not been publicly disclosed by prosecutors. The FGE is expected to file formal charges against the adult suspects and process the minor through juvenile proceedings.
This story was first reported by Punto Norte.