Top state official gunned down with bodyguard in Cancun

CANCUN — A senior Quintana Roo state government official and his bodyguard were killed in Cancun, the state attorney general said.

Speaking at a press conference, state AG Arturo Alvarez Escalera said a luxury pick-up truck carrying Quintana Roo Director General of Internal Affairs Isaias Capeline Lizarraga and his bodyguard, Angel Casillas, came under armed attack at midday Thursday July 14 in an area of schools and well-to-do subdivisions.

Near Plaza Cumbres, according to witnesses, an armed group intercepted the truck in which they were riding, a black Ford Lobo, SZ-7333-C state plates, which received at least 20 heavy calibre gunshots.

Capeline Lizárraga and his escort died immediately, while the gunmen fled the scene in an unknown vehicle.

As interior director of State Government, Isaiah Capeline was involved in several controversies and was mentioned several times as “overreaching” in his official duties.

Unofficially, it was said that his main task was to monitor and spy on political opponents of the government and direct “shock troops.”

On 5 June, election day, Capeline Lizarraga participated in the arrest of PAN Senator from Yucatan, Daniel Avila, in Cancun, during which a group of PRI members led by the now deceased accused Avila of buying votes.

Former Mayor Julian Ricalde Magaña reported that Isaiah Capeline actually performing functions of “political police” for the Government and was accompanied by armed bodyguards, who, he said, had criminal records.

In December 2015, Capeline Lizarraga and his wife opened the restaurant #1Dreams in Chetumal.

Sources:

efe.com

periodistasquintanaroo.com