Residents of a town in Mexico attacked several officers and vandalized a local government building as protests erupted after a 27-year-old man was shot dead by police.
Neighbors in the town of Lerdo de Tejada, off the Gulf state of Veracruz, clashed with officers at the scene and overturned a police car before setting fire to it and smashing the windows of the local city hall.
This comes after Brando Arellano Cruz was shot on Friday night after failing to stop his car at a police checkpoint while on his way to his grandmother's house.
His family speculated that he did not stop after police told him he feared the security forces, who are largely distrusted by local residents.
His father, Delfino Arellano Ramirez, said: “As soon as he stopped, they opened fire on the car, killing him instantly, and shooting him in the neck like cowards.”
“My son died instantly.”
Pic: Lerdo standing
Pic: Lerdo standing
Arellano Ramirez, upon arriving at the scene a short time later, said he saw the impact of the bullet on the car's windshield.
The grieving father said: “I saw my son on his face and he was already dripping with blood.”
A mob of angry residents began targeting the officers allegedly involved, as well as two police cars, a pickup truck and part of the city hall building.
Brando Arellano Cruz's parents grieve next to their son's body in the car in which he was shot. Photo: AP
The family reported that one of the officers fled the scene, while the state police took four of them to the hospital.
They are believed to be the same four officers under investigation in connection with the shooting.
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Maria Esther Aroniz Lopez, the mayor of Lerdo de Tejada, said in a statement that she “deeply regrets” the loss of Arellano Cruz, but added that she “strongly condemns” the protesters who she said “took advantage of this adversity.”
“A group of people is inciting citizenship to fuel hatred, vandalism and social instability,” the statement on Facebook said.
A damaged Veracruz police car lies on its side, burned by residents. Photo: AP
“The damage caused by the fire to part of the municipal palace, two patrols and the transport unit of the municipal DIF is also unjustified.
“Violence is not the answer; in these times we must stand together and respect the family's pain.”
She said the government rejects the “unjustified use of force” and will apply “the full rigor of the law against those responsible.”
