Shootout Between Police and Armed Men in Tijuana, 2 Arrested

"HEARST" for Borderland Beat 

Municipal police officers were shot while carrying out a surveillance patrol in Tijuana, Baja California which led to a high speed pursuit, a shootout and the arrest of the two attackers. 

At around 1:30 am on August 25, 2021, in the Centario district of Tijuana city, a vehicle drove through an intersection without stopping for a stop sign. Patrolling municipal officers insider their vehicle motioned for the vehicle, a blue Mercury Mountaineer SUV with California license plates, to pull over for the minor traffic infraction. Inside the vehicle with California license plates, the officers could see two subjects were on board. 

Without saying a word, both subjects lifted firearms that were sitting below view and began shooting at the officers. The Mercury Mountaineer then sped away. The officers immediately called in the attack that was just made against them over radio. They requested the support of other municipal police officers in the area. 

Damage done by the two attackers to the patrol vehicle. 

Municipal officers, as well as Army (SEDENA) and National Guard soldiers responded to the call and gave chase to the blue SUV. The vehicle chase travelled over the Cañón del Padre, sped through the Murúa neighborhood and culminated at Ejidatarios street in the Las Torres neighborhood, near the Oxxo gas station and El Pollo Asil. 

There the two armed men once again drew their weapons and began to shoot at the security forces. The soldiers and officers repelled the attack. The two men later tried to exit their vehicle to flee but officers were able to close in quickly enough that both men were arrested. 

The two arrested men are Leonel García Lara and Saúl Fonseca Landeros. They were found to be in possession of a revolver-type firearm, a 12-gauge shotgun, a black tactical vest. These items, along with the Mercury SUV were seized by police.

The SUV of the two attackers, crashed into a fence. 

Crime scene photographer, cones likely mark bullet casing evidence.

Sources: Zeta Tijuana, Milenio, El Vigia, El Mexicano, AFN Tijuana