A Sinaloa government official was killed in Zapopan; his family has identified him. The Victim Was Believed To Be An Associate Of Ivan Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar “El Chapito”

 CHAR

JUNE 16, 2025

INFORMATION BY EL OCCIDENTAL 

Lázaro Gambino was accused of being the brother-in-law of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, alias "El Chapito."

Elizabeth Ibal and Román Ortega

In a direct attack in Zapopan, Lázaro Gambino Espinosa, president of the Local Board of Conciliation and Arbitration of the State of Sinaloa, was shot and killed.

The murder occurred when Lázaro Gambino Espinosa was at the intersection of Independencia and 5 de Mayo streets in the San Juan de Ocotan neighborhood, in the former Villa Maicera neighborhood.

At around 4:55 p.m. this Sunday, the Zapopan Public Security Police Station reported that a man had been shot and wounded.

It was later learned that the man died inside a grocery store after a man shot him. A gray Volvo SUV, apparently belonging to the slain man, was also found at the intersection.

Paramedics arrived at the scene and confirmed the death of the man, who had gunshot wounds to the head and torso.

Sources from the Zapopan Police Station confirmed that the slain man was identified as Lázaro Gambino Espinosa. The killer was reported to have fled on foot in an unknown direction.

Agents from the State Attorney General's Homicide Unit arrived at the scene to begin an investigation and determine whether he was shopping at the store or had entered the store to seek refuge.

To date, the State Attorney General's Office has not released any lines of investigation into the case or any other statement regarding the crime.

Following the murder, the Culiacán Law School of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa (UAS) mourned the death of Lázaro Gambino Espinosa, who was also a former director and professor at the institution.

He has already been identified

The State Prosecutor's Office reported that the family has already identified him as a lawyer and professor at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa.

"Currently, the Jalisco State Prosecutor's Office is investigating the events and determining responsibility," the communications department reported.

Who was he?

Gambino Espinosa was one of the most trusted men of the Governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya. He was also suspected of being the brother-in-law of Iván Archivaldo Guzmán Salazar, alias "El Chapo," son of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, since Gambino married Olga Ereyda Lindoro Navidad, sister of Zulema Aracely Lindoro Navidad, Iván Archivaldo's partner.

In March 2018, he was appointed Coordinator of Legal Affairs at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa and Director of the Barandilla Court of the Culiacán City Council.

The official was also linked to the Partido Sinaloense (PAS), founded by former rector Héctor Melesio Cuén Ojeda.

On November 1, he was appointed by Rocha Moya as president of the Local Board of Conciliation and Arbitration of the State of Sinaloa.

In January of this year, he was in the spotlight after flyers were distributed alleging his relationship with Iván Archivaldo and his alleged money laundering through suit rental businesses.

ZULEMA LINDORO NAVIDAD WIFE OF IVAN EL CHAPITO 

SOURCE: EL OCCIDENTAL