Mexican Journalist Slain in Hail of Bullets in Sonora

Announcer Reynaldo Lopez and reporter Carlos Cota, former sports producer of the Televisa network in Sonora were shot at over 14 times, with Lopez eventually sucumbbing to his injuries. Cota is seriously injured in a local hospital, according to Efe.

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The National Commission for Human Rights (CNDH) reported in a press release that at least 14 shots were fired at the duo after an ambush in the city of Hermosillo, Sonora.

The two journalists were driving along an avenue in the city when they were apprehended by unknown men carrying machine guns. 

The men immediately began opening fire, unleashing a barrage of bullets on the two media officials and the Chevrolet they were riding in.

According to El Diario, the CNDH condemned the aggression against the reporters and asked the government of Sonora to provide the required treatment to the stricken Cota, as well as ensuring the safety of the families of both victims.

The commission highlighted that Lopez's murder meant he was the 144th journalist to be killed in Mexico since 2000, and the third in 2019 after the assassinations of Jose Rafael Murua Manriquez, in January in the northwestern state of Baja California Sur; and Jesus Eugenio Ramos, in February in the southeastern state of Tabasco.

Meanwhile, Governor Claudia Pavlovich condemned the shooting, taking to Twitter, saying, "I am in constant contact with the Prosecutor @ClaudiaIndiraC, and attentive to the progress of the investigations of @fgjesonora."

"I have instructed the Secretary of @ssp_sonora @davidanayac to strengthen coordination and security and intelligence strategies. My solidarity with the families of reporters," she added.