A Mexican politician active in the dismantling of organized crime was shot dead while he posed for selfies with constituents.
Fernando Purón, former mayor of Piedras Negras, had been participating in a congressional debate on Friday when he was gunned down.
The shocking murder of Purón, captured on CCTV, shows a bearded man wearing a cap walking behind the 43-year-old and shooting him in the back of the head.
Purón died on his way to the hospital.
The political candidate had been known for his work fighting against the Los Zetas cartel.
Fernando Purón, former mayor of Piedras Negras, had been participating in a congressional debate on Friday where he was later murdered
During his debate in Piedras Negras, the father of one talked about his work fighting the gang while mayor from 2014 to 2017.
‘We closed the businesses of organized crime and demolished the houses belonging to the Zetas,’ Purón, said, according to the Austin American-Statesman. ‘We took back the city from the Zetas, and we returned it, pacified, to the citizens.’
The Zeta cartel has lost some of its power since the arrest of leader Miguel Treviño Morales, known as Z-40, in 201
Purón’s death makes him as the 112th political candidate to be murdered in Mexico since September of last year, according to risk analysis consultant group – Etellekt.
Purón (circled) could be seen taking photos with constituents in Piedras Negras
The shocking murder of Purón, captured on CCTV, shows a bearded man wearing a cap walking behind the 43-year-old and shooting him in the back of the head
More than 1,000 candidates have dropped out of the July 1 local elections out of fear of being murdered by gangs.
During the campaign season, nearly 10 percent of the country – 222 municipalities – have had candidates or current officeholders that have been killed, assaulted or threatened.
Purón – part of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party – had had his life threatened numerous times while mayor.
In 2016, a warning was posted in a cemetery saying: ‘Purón, in two years we are going to cut off your head.’
Purón’s death makes him as the 112th political candidate to be murdered in Mexico since September of last year
On Sunday, his wife remembered her husband as someone whose ‘hand did not tremble’ when it came to standing up to organized crime.
‘He was ready for battle until the last moment,’ Cynthia Villarreal said. ‘He was the bravest man on the face of the earth.’
On Monday, the attorney general for Coahuila said authorities have found two men they believe are associated with the murder or may know a suspect.