Mexican Police Officer Killed by Escaped U.S. Fugitive in Tijuana Shootout

Cesar Hernandez, a convicted murderer who escaped California custody in December 2024, fatally shot Abigail Esparza Reyes, leader of the Gringo Hunters unit, during an arrest attempt and remains at large.

Cesar Hernandez, a 34-year-old convicted murderer, escaped custody in California in December 2024 and is now wanted for killing a Mexican police officer during a shootout.
Abigail Esparza Reyes, 33, led the Baja California Gringo Hunters unit for eight years, conducting over 400 operations to capture U.S. fugitives in Mexico.
The fatal shootout occurred on April 9, 2025, in Tijuana during an operation to apprehend Hernandez, who managed to escape disguised as a worker.
Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar vowed that Esparza Reyes' death would not go unpunished, as Mexican authorities intensify their manhunt for Hernandez.
The Gringo Hunters unit, established in 2002, has played a vital role in cross-border law enforcement, underscoring the risks faced by officers like Esparza Reyes.