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on the border line between the US and Mexico
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Monday, October 3, 2022

CJNG Shooting in the Streets of Zapopan Allegedly Targeted a "Business Owner"

 "HEARST" for Borderland Beat 



As covered by Sol Prendido yesterday, there was a shootout in the middle of the day in a wealthy shopping plaza in Zapopan, Jalisco.


Now even more footage has emerged and some articles are reporting allegations of the shootout being an attempted hit, by a group of hitmen, on an important figure that had not been named by government officials.




The Location

The shootout occurred on October 02, 2022, in the wealthy borough of Zapopan, right outside of the major city of Guadalajara, in the state of Jalisco.




This area is believed to be where many prominent Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) figures and their families live. As an example of this, the military searched for Mencho’s daughter Laisha Oseguera after intelligence suggested she was hiding out in the town of Zapopan, less than one year ago.




The shooting primarily took place in the area surrounding “The Landmark”, an outdoor shopping area. The stores inside the location range from mid-range (like West Elm, LuluLemon, Emporio Armani)  to high-end, (like Ferragamo, Bentley, Max Mara) and it includes the movie theater Cinemex Platino.





The Current Prevailing Narrative


The following is the prevailing narrative about what happened, based on initial media reports. Please note that information on what happened and why it happened may change with time. 


At approximately 5:20 pm on October 02, 2022, Informador writes that “according to initial reports, a group of armed individuals traveled to Puerta de Hierro Boulevard, near Patria Avenue, in an attempt to ambush another person. However, the subject of the attack was accompanied by a number of bodyguards who repelled the aggression and a shootout ensued. 



They continue and say that “Later, while trying to escape, several of the assailants ran into an Army convoy patrolling the area and another firefight broke out.” According to the newspaper Reforma, the Army firefight happened because they tried to arrest some of the armed men. 


Reforma writes “Prosecutor Luis Joaquín Méndez Ruiz confirmed that a group of armed men arrived [...] to attack a person whose identity has not been revealed, and that his bodyguards responded by shooting back.”



The prosecutor’s unwillingness to reveal the identity of the target suggests it was not a politician. The state’s governor reported hours after the incident that a criminal group caused the shooting, likely meaning the attackers were cartel hitmen.


Based on the location of the attack being Zapopan, it is likely that if the intended target was a cartel figure, then they were either a CJNG leadership figure (which could range from leading a small cell to a major faction) or another cartel leadership figure who is currently under CJNG protection. 



Currently, it is being reported that one bodyguard of the unnamed target was killed at the shopping plaza and another bodyguard was taken to the hospital for treatment. Four other people were reportedly injured in the attack, including innocent civilians who were shopping in stores nearby.


UPDATE 10:00 AM: President Lopez Obrador has commented in his morning press conference that the shootout was due to a group from Jalisco trying to kidnap a business man involved in buying and selling cars.



Video Source: Aztec Noticias


That being said, it's also worth noting that the singer Julión Álvarez, who is rumored to be one of the sons of a Milenio Cartel leader Armando Valencia, alias “El Maradon”, was alleged (by a person in a video clip) to have been present in the shopping mall and been the intended target of the attack.



However Julión Álvarez has gone to social media to publicly deny that he was the target of the attack and says he was not even in the area at the time. The video appears to show him sitting inside a private plane, heading to a concert. 


Video Source: La Silla Rota


Outside of his alleged father’s identity, Julión Álvarez has also been linked to cartel involvement more directly when his assets were frozen in 2017 when the US financially tied him to cartel figure Raúl Flores Hernández, alias “El Tio”, who they were seeking to extradite at the time. In September 2020, his assets were unfrozen.






UPDATE 6:30 PM: The news site Notisistema is the first publication to give credence to the persistent rumors that the target of the attack was a businessman involved in a tequila company. They wrote: 


“The armed men [...] had as their objective to deprive a businessman, unofficially identified as Rafael Fernández, of his freedom, sources from the State Attorney General's Office revealed to Notisistema. Although President López Obrador indicated in his morning conference that the businessman is dedicated to the purchase and sale of vehicles, sources consulted by Notisistema indicate that he is involved in the distribution of retail and wholesale alcoholic beverages. The name of the victim was revealed by the bodyguard who was injured and is currently being treated at the Military Hospital.”






The Videos

So many videos of this shooting were shared on social media, with many showing overlapping moments within the battle from different angles. But the overall layout of the space and how close things were happening to each other can be hard to determine in the chaos of the footage. 


So, let's try to piece together the videos of the incident in order to better understand what happened.


Video Source: Guardia Noctura


People inside a store located in the more interior part of the shopping mall take cover, while trying to determine if they should run or stay where they are. A hitman carrying a gun can be seen outside of the glass walls of the store.



In a parking area drop off under the movie theater, a person holding a pistol waves their hand at the driver of a white SUV (henceforth called Vehicle #3). The vehicle stops to let them get inside. 


Some have speculated online that Vehicle #3 is the one which contained the target of the attack. Whether the man with the pistol is the target himself, a friend of the target, or a bodyguard is unknown. Other sources have pointed to a different white vehicle being the one with the target inside.


As a side note, on the left side of the frame, a woman on the ground can be seen shielding her child with her body.



Video Source: Lilian




A different angle from the same parking garage under the movie theater, Vehicle #3 can be seen driving away from the movie theater at the end of the video clip. Multiple hitmen are seen running with guns.





An overhead view of two SUVs being used by cartel hitmen. One, a dark blue SUV (henceforth called Vehicle #1) and another a dark charcoal or red colored SUV (Vehicle #2) 


There are at least 8 hitmen visible. At the end of the clip, the blue SUV appears to back up and prepare to drive away.


It is a bit unclear if this group is the one which came to kill the target or if this is a group of bodyguards or reinforcements that work for the target.


Video Source: Lilian


A different angle of the same two vehicles during roughly the same time, with the camera mainly focusing on Vehicle #1 while Vehicle #2 is largely obscured by a tree.



Video Source: El Blog de los Guachos



A man who is indoors, watches what appears to be Vehicle #1 and Vehicle #2 drive away from the location of the two previous videos. Two hitmen struggle to chase after and enter what appears to be Vehicle #2.


Video Source: Pascal


Above is a video that is filmed from quite a distance is able to connect some of the previous videos together, showing the moment when Vehicle #3 drives away from the area and then when both Vehicle #1 and Vehicle #2 follow after.




Video Source: Dominion Publico 



Later, six armed men, possibly military soldiers, approach a location, moving as a group down the same street seen in the previous video. 



Video Source: Salvador Cosio Gaona

A wider view of The Landmark, where two military technicals can be seen on the right hand side of the frame.


Video Source: Luis Mercado


There are videos of the aftermath of shooting at The Landmark, with broken glass on the ground and soldiers trying to take control of the scene. This is the video in which someone alleges that Julión was the target. 



Video Source: Karla 


Video alleged to show a white sedan with a person injured in the shooting being brought for medical attention at a Guadalajara hospital that's very close by. Who this person is is currently unknown.



Video Source: Noticiais Guadalajara


Later, trucks full of National Guard soldiers arrived at the location, as seen above.









Some Photos













Video Sources: Luis Mercado, Noticiais Guadalajara, Karla, Salvador Cosio Gaona, Lilian, GHOSTDEVIIL, Dominion Publico, PascalEl Blog de los Guachos, Guardia Noctura


Sources: Reforma, Informador








53 comments:

  1. Zapopan, Home of El Colegio del Aire, The Mexican Air Force Academy, many oung pilots must have earned a lot more than their wings there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 819 You talk just to talk. Puro chorro from your mouth Senor Sir

      Delete
    2. 10:57 Choros las tonteras que contestas.

      Delete
  2. Good read nicely piecing together all the videos. Legit looks like a scene from a movie but it’s real and the middle of one of the richest part of Mexico so crazy.

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  3. Does mexicoco governments knows what’s going on inside its country? Are these acceptable to them?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Does the American gvt know what's going on in Skid Row, Central City East,L.A., and the 1000s of other tent cities across America? Millions living on the streets and the gvt don't care!

      Delete
    2. Obviously, the target was the owner of the Lululemon store for refusing to give yoga tights for cjng sicarios!

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    3. 1037 ok enough jokes baby nuts. I don't see a successful stand up comedy career in your future.

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    4. What exactly is happening in ELA?? I’m sure it’s better in your area. Freaking dumb ass people comparing it to this incident

      Delete
    5. only low iq cowards hide behind and anonymous tag when being rude to other posters! Fact!

      Delete
    6. With a sur name Big Nut.. you’re I.Q. Must be really high. My comment was more of a question because it seems to be you’re well informed.

      Delete
    7. This big nuts prick is turning BB into a racial and jingoistic argument on every story,sad twat sounds like SIR ?

      Delete
    8. 5:35 I am not racist, I make fun of everybody and their dog equally, like a good Mexican,
      but if I had you near I'd squash you with a chancla for being a 4 legged spider, like CJNG sicarios in their skinny jeans.

      Delete
    9. Lil squirrel nutts Truther is a joke, offers off winded comments.

      Delete
  4. Business owner was the target of the attack ..... He owns car dealerships .... But what's the deal with the convoy.

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    Replies
    1. I heard a story that in Guadalajara when a civilian sells a used car they have to pay a fee to cjng or they get held hostage and most get killed, its on YouTube told by a guy who was kidnapped by them because they thought he was selling vape pens without permission

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    2. 2:20 Dont really think so, since that would compromise state government (governor in Jalisco have a BAD reputation). Not refusing, but something like that would be known.

      Delete
  5. The weird pointless part of Jalisco that comes up in between Zacatecas and Nayarit

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 11:16 Yeah that piece makes the state look weird. They should’ve split it in three.

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    2. It looks like a ball of smoke i wonder why they decided to expand that part like that from the small land of jalisco that is in between nayarit and Zacatecas they should of cut it off.
      The Zacatecas part that goes in jalisco looks like a pecker going in a cavity.

      Delete
  6. Julian es hijo del Maradona? First time I hear this rumor.
    All major cartels operate in Zapopan, they make it seem like cjng has it on lock. It's a place cartel heads have their families and conduct business.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anybody heard anything interesting about who the target of the attack was? And why he was targeted?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear MISS HEARST: fatal victims were a customer (young lady), an uber delivery, and a security from mall. A Body guard was shoot (still alive)... Based on info leaked (not confirmed) they were trying to kidnap Rafael Fernández, a Tequila business man. Who managed to escape since SEDENA members were on the area.

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    2. Reason: NOT confirmed, but as most business men in Jalisco, he probably refused to pay CJNG a "use right". Just like most Tequila growers. American companies operating there contract expensive private security service to avoid that, just like Constellis or Pinkerton services.

      Delete
    3. That's very interesting. I heard it was about a tequila businessman when the story first broke. Things shifted to it being a car business man later but I want to see if I can find more now.

      I'll also double check on the victims. Thank you very much for the comments.

      Delete
    4. 1:43 well he spending his money well getting himself some good protection instead of paying those dope heads of cjng

      Delete
  8. I've been reading your site for a while anonymously. I just wanted to say that I respect your reporting here and how you pieced things together.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I thought they had shit on lock

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    Replies
    1. 1:25 don't say that cause there's many cjng keyboard sicarios on here,,,, they get hurt n mad when people say the opposite of what they think.... 😂

      Delete
  10. reminds me of the final bank shootout scene from the film "Heat" in the middle of downtown LA

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  11. The singer looks too old to be the son of former milenio cartel boss Armando Cornelio “El Maradona” Valencia. El Maradona is the one who filed a lawsuit against Borderland Beat, Blogger Google etc for publishing his driver's licence info + picture.

    Canadian girl 💋

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was rumor he was carlos Rosales el tisico son but looks more like Armando Valencia. Rosales kick all Valencia's from michoacan cause Armando took his girl ines oseguera they both have kids with her. Yo pense que le decian Maradona por que le metia goles al golfo pero es por que le hiso hijos ala vieja de Mencho y la del Rosales

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    2. Nah. El Maradona is an old man. His son will be middle aged.

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    3. Armando was born in 1959, so he could be in his 60s. I think he's definitely old enough to be his father.

      http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2020/06/armando-valencia-cornelio-founder-of.html

      Delete
    4. What a gay lord no que muy cabrones want to file lawsuits lmao

      Delete
  12. Useless Mexican government.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. aww, dont cry please!

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    2. 2:45 useless propaganda...
      You will get fired, and forget about that last paycheck

      Delete
  13. Wait wait doesn't cjng spend countless hours making silly videos along with high quality banners bragging that they don't target civilians???i guess pure hype n propaganda 😂

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  14. That dude on Twitter spreading the rumor Julión Alvarez is AVC son is😵

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    Replies
    1. 4:44 too bad the rumor was just a rumor

      Delete
  15. My question is if bodyguards can carry guns why can’t normal citizens it’s really backwards. Almost like if you don’t have money you receive no protection and as far as police protection it isn’t any. The laws aren’t for the common regular people they are for people with money.

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    Replies
    1. That's how firearms are controlled in México. You must vetted and approved by law enforcement and SEDENA

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    2. 7:14 money talks since before the Bible got wrote and After Jesús refused to shake the money maker for the Pharisee or the Philistines that bought Judas instead

      Delete
    3. Citizens are getting slaughtered on daily basis, getting kidnapped, extorted. It would be great, that they have guns but the stupid government doesn't want them to have guns.

      Delete
    4. Then the Mexican people need stand up and get their laws changed if government won’t do it get one elected that will.

      Delete
    5. 9:25 Change had been present since 2018... This is an overhaul, not an oil change.

      Delete
    6. Nope, in a 1st country, civilians shoulf not carry guns to protect them self.

      Delete
  16. Fantastic scene,when the National Guard's went down from the truck after all combatant's already left.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is an absolutely brilliant piece of work. I'm still not 100 percent sure about the Who or the Why, but the What and the Where is amazing. Respect BB

    ReplyDelete
  18. We can't be indifferent about lawlessness. these people living in MX deserve to live independently and without cartel interference

    ReplyDelete

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