Tijuana, Mexico — A fugitive who escaped from California correctional officers in early December is now implicated in the fatal shooting of a Mexican police commander, authorities report. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico and the U.S. Marshals Service issued a notice seeking information on Cesar Hernandez, 34, a convicted murderer serving a life term for a 2019 homicide in Los Angeles County.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday when Hernandez allegedly killed Mexico Police Commander Abigail Esparza Reyes during a law enforcement operation aimed at his capture. The U.S. Marshals Service, which was not involved in the confrontation, confirmed the killing. Their personnel aided Reyes, but she died from her injuries.
Authorities have described Hernandez as armed, extremely dangerous, and with violent tendencies. He was last seen serving an 80-year to life sentence for first-degree murder.
The drama began on Dec. 2, when Hernandez, due to attend a court hearing in Delano, California, for prison violations, made a daring escape. Surveillance footage showed him sprinting across an open field, unshackled. Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood later revealed that Hernandez likely crafted a makeshift key to unlock his restraints, assaulted a guard, and then fled through an open gate in the courthouse’s transfer parking area.
Following his escape, a substantial $35,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest, underscoring the urgency of apprehending him. A spokesperson from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has confirmed an ongoing investigation in connection with Hernandez in Tijuana but declined further comment.
This case highlights ongoing issues of security and the challenges faced by law enforcement on both sides of the border. The killing of Commander Reyes has intensified the focus on cross-border criminal activities and the need for heightened security measures. Authorities remain vigilant and emphasize that violence against law enforcement officials will be met with substantial legal repercussions.