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.
Overview
- 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.