Cuddled in the safety of his father's arms, bath-time complete, the baby clings on tightly - the perfect picture of an adoring papa with his newborn son.
But the picture takes on a darker significance now, for it would be in these arms that this child would die just seven months later - a moment captured in another, horrifying image.
For this is Miguel Pano, the baby whose violent end at the hands of faceless assassins has shocked Mexico.
Miguel became one of the youngest ever victims of the country's brutal gangland war, caught up in the assassination of his parents on Mexico’s Pacific Coast on Friday.
Shot dead outside a supermarket, when police arrived just moments afterwards, they would find the tiny child, blood soaking through his baby grow, cradled by his dead father Alberto Pano, 24, killed alongside his wife Alba Colon, 17, at the entrance to Vig’s convenience store on the dangerous outskirts of town.
|
‘It was over in seconds,' store cashier Reyna Santos told MailOnline.
‘We’re used to crime and having to watch our backs in this town, but to have such a tragedy on our own doorstep was terrible.'
Tributes have flooded in for the family, with many of Alberto's friends changing their profile pictures to the image of his murdered infant son overset with the Mexican flag.
One user, Ma De Lourdes Mejia, wrote: 'I miss you a lot…today we will be lighting a candle for you in the town of El Tamal.'
But Miguel, Alberto and Alba were not the only victims of Friday night's violence. They died alongside Isidoro Gonzalez, an infamous Acapulco gangster known more widely as ‘El Isis’, wanted by Mexico’s federal government on charges of murder and kidnapping.
It was to El Isis that Alberto was talking moments before his death: just 24, the young man was already known in the area as one of the gangster's low level drug dealers, brought in to work for him from Acapulco.
‘Alfredo ran a fish taco stand in the street, but was a well-known dealer for El Isis,' said Abelardo Ribera, a regional crime reporter for the Despertar de la Costa newspaper.
But Alfredo, who is said to have sold marijuana, cocaine, crystal meth and heroin alongside his tasty treats, was small fish to fry.
Life cut short: The young age of Miguel has left Mexico shell shocked, and questioning how and why the situation has been allowed to get so bad a baby could be shot dead outside a supermarket |
Family: According to Facebook, Miguel's parents had been together two years when he was born |
El Isis was almost certainly the target of the hit: a member of the Acapulco Independent Cartel, he had set up a tortilla shop front called ‘La Princesa’ (The Princess) for a narco-trafficking operation in the town.
And it seems whoever ordered the killing wasn't intending to give him any chance to escape. The scene was littered with 18 .38 calibre shells, thought to have been shot by three separate assassins, each armed with a six-round revolver.
However, Ribera continued, 'the fact that another rival gang member could be despatched at the same time will have been a bonus for the killers’ in an area where the gunshots of warring cartels regularly sends people running for their lives.
‘El Isis and his gangsters are all from Acapulco, and they are constantly fighting for territory with the local gang, Holy Cartel (Santa Cartel),' one local told MailOnline, asking not to be named for fear for his family’s lives.
‘The local people can’t leave their houses after dark because the narcos don’t like seeing people they don’t recognise walking around their territory after dark.'
Daddy: Alfredo, who also ran a fish taco stall, came from Acapulco, the Mexican tourist hotspot, where El Isis recruited a lot of his dealers |
A hotel owner added: ‘This entire region has been turned into a living hell by the drug wars.
‘We see murders here every week.'
‘The violence never ends,’ acknowledged Abelardo, who averages three murder reports a week covering his beat from the state border to Puerto Escondido.
But the murder of Miguel and his family was particularly shocking, even in a town which has buried so many already.
Demands for justice to be served have flooded social media, where pictures of the little blood-covered boy have been shared thousands of times.
Some have compared him to Alan Kurdi, initially called Aylan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian boy whose body washed up on a Turkish beach - another young boy killed because of the decisions of adults intent on making money any way they can.
Police have so far discovered four vehicles - two cars and two motorbikes, all ridden with bullet holes - at a rival gang’s safe house which are believed to have been used in the drive-by shooting.
As yet, no arrests have been made following the killing, despite countrywide pressure on the local police force after pictures of slain baby Miguel went viral on social media.
‘Hopefully the awareness of our situation that has been raised by this horrible tragedy of an innocent baby will improve things for everyone,' said the hotel owner.
‘We’re living in perpetual fear.'
The municipal police refused to comment when asked by MailOnline.
Memorial: Hundreds gathered to mourn the family at a memorial service held in Pinotepa Nacional on Monday |
Who the f is Alberto and who is Alfredo? Am I missing something?
ReplyDeleteI believe it's a typo. Alfredo and Alberto are more than likely the same person (the father).
DeleteIt's drug dealing 101 to never travel with your family if you are in the game. Always move separately, at separate times and in separate vehicles. Don't hate on me, I didn't make the rules. It's common knowledge especially in a warring terroritory. It's definitely a very tragic end to this poor baby's short life. Please note I am not calling the baby "poor" for socio-economic reasons but out of sympathy.
ReplyDeleteMy friend rulo used to say that being in the sicario business is like being in that gang or in the group of friends that used to go around looking for trouble in other neiborhoods and had to also defend the block or the hood,the difrence is the higher consequences that you have to pay and that theres no second chances for mistakes.Does anybody have information of what happend to rulo also knowned as raul junior hernandez gonzalez??is he still alive where he is locked up????
DeleteCurse those who kill the baby including the father of the child for exposing him to the violence by becoming a drug dealer. They are all culpable in some degree or another.
ReplyDeleteHe is far right, not far left in the pic with his friends
ReplyDeleteAnother thing that is sad is that this guy the father of the baby was pretty young himself. He could have still (which of course he didn't), walk away from this life. Four young lives lost (drug dealer and the three family members), all for some easy extra money to earn. Sadly the story repeats itself. Society has become so fucked up.
ReplyDeleteIt's not easy extra money, but the difference between life and death. Eating and not eating. It is easy for those who have never really experienced extreme poverty to make judgement. This is what the African American community has faced since forever. Don't judge! They seemed to be like any one else just trying to get by, -AFRICAN AMERICAN MOTHER!
DeleteI know there will be so many to defend this young man choices, but not me. The original post did not state he dealt drugs, which I am sure at the time BB did not have all the info other than the murders. These men deal drugs and make families knowing the risk they are putting everyone in. So what if you are living in poverty? There are many who are and actually try to find an honest living. This is so sad for the baby only. These women need to wise up and step away from these types of men. Or if you have sex, buy a condom! Now a poor child is dead because of the poor choices of his parents. It is hard to feel sorry when you first read a post that seems so sad and then when the update comes along, you discover it is just another scum couple and a poor innocent child. They shoild really consider not making families. Especially when it is becoming more obvious they will be targeted based on the criminal act of one family member.
ReplyDeleteWell said...
DeleteJesus Christ
ReplyDeletewow. sick. For a long time after I've read the news etc. it's things like this which stick with me. RIP that kid & his family.
ReplyDeleteMurdered by a oaxacan gang
ReplyDeleteMourned by oaxacans...
--see, we can not blame everybody for the crimes of a few, and, if you are going around stealing turf, leave wife and babies home...
wana go back and surf la saladida but wondering if its worth the gamble of just being at the wrong fish taco place at the wrong time.
ReplyDeleteNothing better than earning an honest living. Trying to get rich selling drugs is like playing the lottery you will make some money but eventually you'll lose everything.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if the competition doesn't kill you the family of those you sell your drugs to eventually will. Mexico's population is getting sucked like a whirlpool down the drain taking everything you work hard for and everyone that's a part of illegal activity. Pos no que los Mexicanos son muy catolicos? Criminals have no shame nor remorse.
If this information is correct, the main responsible person for the murder of that child was the father. Never mix family and organized crime business.
ReplyDeleteRIP little baby.
What? Do you see how young that guy looked? He wasn't some big time narco. I feel sorry for him too. The chances are he's just another young man who grew up without much, sucked into the narco-world because he wanted a better life. That is why basically all sicarios join. He's a victim. Not to be blamed.
DeleteAnon 8:27am I grew up in Mexico so I know how things are, as a child we didn't have water or toilet at the house where I once lived in Veracruz. Everyone make their own choices and he make the wrong one. He is responsible for the child murder by taking his family to the meeting.
Delete8:27 Do you really think that is a wonderful excuse? So what is he was poor? I responded earlier myself on this post, saying they should not be making children. Also to talk to a well known criminal with your baby present is totally irresponsible. The only party that should be granted sorrow through all of this is that poor baby. Decisions made for that baby that obviously weren't the best decisions. If you are that poor and struggling, than stop screwing and making babies and start planning to work on a better future.
DeleteDear, the owners of drug trafficking on the US where it really makes money and where it really counts, have attended yale,
Deleteharvard, the university of Chicago, are RHODES SCHOLARS, have been in West Point and Annapolis, some even are mexicans, and studied in rome, spain, france, england...
--And are some of the greediest drug traffickers in the world.
Of course he made bad choices but the guy looked very young. He's not a good guy, and maybe he was responsible for the death of his child by taking him to the meeting. I just think he probably didn't know what he was doing. It's very sad for both the baby and the young man.
DeleteAbout 6years or more a very small baby was shot and killed by a stray bullet while in her mothers arms in a pasera in reynosa during a shootout between soldiers and narcos. The bullet went up through the floor and killed baby I think it was a solders bullet. The young parents were on local valley news. Very sad. Also the recent 13 year old in Matamoras and also in matamoras a young college student was killed during crossfire about 6 years ago.
ReplyDeleteMaybe someone can write a corrido for the murderer. Arriba Mexico!
ReplyDeleteJust got back from Chacaua Oaxaca last week.evidently from what I understand, people in Oaxaca do not take kindly to this type of scoria.It is quite evident once you cross the border into Pino (no fucking grafiti).also it is hard to bribe yourself out of jail. I guess the broom is doing its thing.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of life is that you can't go out when its dark just because a bunch of lowlife drug dealers don't like it FCK them! That's what I think narcos are the 1% but yet control everything what a shame of a country mexico has become
ReplyDelete10:52 american weapons and billions of dollars given by several US government administrations keep the mexican governing narco-mierdocracia in power, not the popular vote...
Delete--also infiltrating the mexican military works to keep the nacos down...
#1 rule no women no kids pendejos
ReplyDeleteThat rule doesn't apply in Mexico.
DeleteIf this information is correct, the main responsible person for the murder of that child was the prohibition of drugs. Never prohibit something that people really want.
ReplyDeleteRIP little baby.
That's the price you gotta pay Alberto should have known that.
ReplyDeletePROBABLY holds many VARIABLES. - El Soldado Perdido
ReplyDeleteMaybe if Mexicans would stop embracing the narco life style, things like this would not happen.
ReplyDeleteJust coming and taking over somebody else's turf is a no, no, when is youses gonna understand?
ReplyDelete--the real ISIS made progress because US ally Turkey buys their "Oil for Weapons' and makes a BIG profit off it in the blackmarket, weapons manufacturers make a killing, and shovel manufacturers too, ISIS needed to dig ALL THOSE BRAND NEW TOYOTA TRUCKS OUT OF THE DESERT WHERE SADDAM HUSSEIN "HID" THEM...then ISIS goes and help the 'contras' who are themselves...where have I seen the pattern?
the father is responsible???? you are wrong and you are a piece of shit if you believe that
ReplyDeleteIf your daddy is a drug dealer, and your just a baby, the baby pretty much has no control over his life...his dad brought him into this drug dealing world and ended up killing his own family...pretty sad :(
DeleteWho else is responsible? The sicarios did what sicarios do and that's kill their target. Nevermind who gets hurt in the process. Alberto of all people should have known how the business works. You have to remember sicarios in Mexico aren't the best trained assassins. They are given a gun and told to go kill anyone who they don't recognize. These sicarios probably couldn't hit a broad side of a barn unless they were 5 feet from their target. 18 shots fired and it looks like the victims were only hit a few times. Who would you prefer to blame 9:15? EPN? The capo who gave the order? El Isis? Alberto met with his boss in a open place with his family with him. Who does that?
DeleteWill you take your mother to a meeting with you drug dealer boss? Knowing he has enemies and that he is also a killer?
DeleteHe should off known by now easy does it.
ReplyDelete-El gato con botas-
The state's of Oaxaca Michoacan and Guerrero have gone the way of the central america's maras. The poverty and pursuit of money without education or moral values have created a syndrome of mindless violence. This is not cartel business ...this is thuggery and gang futility with druglord backing. Cartels have no more control over these thugs and bloodthirsty savages that the government has over it's thugs student burning soldiers.
ReplyDeleteNice story bro
ReplyDeleteI agree but it's all Mexico not just the states you mentioned. Michoacan and guerrero are violent because of the fertile land and acces to the port in michoacan wich is the biggest in the western hemesphere and where chemicals are shiped from china to make crystal meth and ships natural resources to china.,..
ReplyDelete"Sin mujer , sin hijos "
ReplyDeleteTony Scarface Montana
"And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
DeleteExodus 34:6-7
As a matter of fact that family from Syria that had that little boy drowned was accepted into Canada refugee status right after that happened so they are all safe and sound[minus the boy].They are living in Vancouver and were fast tracked to Canada because they already had relatives here.
ReplyDeleteCanadiana, when did this happen? because the father rejected the offer...
ReplyDeleteAs for the so called relative, she lied, she never even submitted an application for the family, according to canada.
3 People have been arrested in connection with this senseless crime.
ReplyDeleteThis was pretty much right after.This is just what I watched on TV[CBC].Maybe within a week or so.The parents were at the airport[maybe father changed his mind-I didn't hear that part]and relatives to greet them[I think it was a sister of 1 of the couple].Some of these people were privately sponsored whatever that means by relatives and complete strangers.There were doing 3 planeloads of 200+ a week to meet their 10,000 goal and I think was 1 of those 1st few planeloads.
ReplyDelete