Current:Home > MyFugitive police officer arrested in killing of college student in Mexico -Aspire Money Growth
Fugitive police officer arrested in killing of college student in Mexico
View
Date:2025-04-16 06:13:49
A fugitive police officer has been arrested for the killing of a student whose death inflamed tensions over one of Mexico's worst human rights tragedies, authorities said Wednesday.
Yanqui Gomez, 23, was shot dead on March 7 in a confrontation with police in the southern state of Guerrero, prompting angry students to set fire to patrol cars.
Gomez attended the Ayotzinapa college, the same teaching training center as 43 students whose murky disappearance nearly a decade ago shocked the nation.
"Today at dawn the police officer who killed the young man from Ayotzinapa was arrested. All those who participated are now in prison," President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said.
The officer was detained at a ranch protected by guards, he said at his daily news conference.
The shooting took place a day after protesters smashed open a door to Mexico's presidential palace demanding to meet Lopez Obrador to discuss the Ayotzinapa case.
The 43 students had been traveling to a demonstration in Mexico City in 2014 when investigators believe they were kidnapped by a drug cartel in collusion with corrupt police.
The exact circumstances of their disappearance are still unknown, but a truth commission set up by the government has branded the case a "state crime," saying the military shared responsibility, either directly or through negligence.
Arrests have been made or ordered for dozens of suspects. In 2022, federal agents arrested former Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam, who oversaw the original investigation.
Authorities have been able to identify burned bone fragments of only three of the 43 missing students. The work largely involves searching for clandestine body dumping grounds in rural, isolated parts of the state where drug cartels are active. In October, officials conducted DNA tests to determine if some of the students were among 28 charred bodies found in freshly covered mass graves.
Guerrero is among six states in Mexico that the U.S. State Department advises Americans to completely avoid, citing crime and violence.
"Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero," the State Department says in its travel advisory.
- In:
- Mexico
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Taiwan earthquake search and rescue efforts continue with dozens still listed missing and 10 confirmed dead
- Luke Fleurs, South African soccer star and Olympian, killed in hijacking at gas station
- Ohio teacher should be fired for lying about sick days to attend Nashville concert, board says
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- How strong is a 4.8 earthquake? Quake magnitudes explained.
- Missing 1923 Actor Cole Brings Plenty Found Dead in Woods at 27
- Here's What Sisqó Is Up to Now—And It Involves Another R&B Icon
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- Pauly Shore and The Comedy Store sued for assault and battery by comedian Eliot Preschutti
Ranking
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- Man convicted of hate crimes for attacking Muslim man in New York City
- Nickelodeon 'Double Dare' host Marc Summers says 'Quiet on Set' producers blindsided him
- 5 lessons for young athletes (and their parents) from the NCAA Final Four basketball teams
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Earthquake maps show where seismic activity shook the Northeast today
- Judge says Trump’s lawyers can’t force NBC to turn over materials related to ‘Stormy’ documentary
- Fact-checking 'Scoop': The true story behind Prince Andrew's disastrous BBC interview
Recommendation
Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
Sean Diddy Combs and Son Christian Sued Over Alleged Sexual Assault and Battery
Afraid of flying? British Airways wants to help.
Why women's March Madness feels more entertaining than men's NCAA Tournament
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
The Cutest (and Comfiest) Festival Footwear to Wear To Coachella and Stagecoach
$35M investment is coming to northwest Louisiana, bringing hundreds of jobs
SpaceX launches latest Starlink missions, adding to low-orbit broadband satellite network