Tulum, Q.R. — The Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSC) of Tulum, José Roberto Rodríguez Bautista, has died. The head of the Tulum SSC died in a Playa del Carmen hospital after being shot several times Friday night.
Police say the attack happened in the La Veleta neighborhood of the town center around 8:30 p.m. when he and his bodyguard were fired upon. The Commander was driving an official police vehicle when was believed ambushed by his attackers. Police were notified of the attack through public 9-1-1 calls regarding a shooting on Avenida 5 Sur and Calle 11 with at least three injured.
At the scene they found one dead male, the alleged gunman, and two injured men, Rodríguez Bautista and his bodyguard. Both men were rushed to Tulum hospital. Captain José Roberto Rodríguez Bautista, head of the Tulum SSC, was transferred to a Playa del Carmen hospital where he died early Saturday morning.
According to sources, his death was confirmed at 12:18 a.m. at the Playa del Carmen General Hospital after being admitted in critical condition with three gunshot wounds, one of which was to the chest.
Rodríguez Bautista was initially taken to Tulum hospital, however, as his condition worsened, he was rushed to Playa del Carmen General around 10:36 p.m. Upon arrival, he suffered a heart attack in the hospital’s emergency room from which he did not recover. There is no word on the health condition of his bodyguard.
Police say the deceased gunman found at the scene was one of two who fired upon Rodríguez Bautista and his bodyguard. The pair repelled the attack, killing one of the gunmen.
In an official statement late Friday, the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) of Quintana Roo said “regarding the report of gunshots with injuries in the La Veleta neighborhood of Tulum, the Ministry of Citizen Security reports: at 8:30 p.m., a security operation was activated at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 11th Street in the municipality, where it was reported that at least three people had gunshot wounds.
“Immediately, security personnel from all three levels of government moved to the area, where upon arrival they found the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Tulum, José Roberto Rodríguez Bautista, and his escort injured. After receiving medical attention on the scene, they were taken to a hospital.
“A deceased person was also found at the scene. He was part of the group of attackers and was killed while repelling the attack. According to initial indications, the deceased was traveling with another individual on a motorcycle when they attacked Secretary Rodríguez Bautista and his bodyguard, who repelled the attack, resulting in his death.”
On Saturday morning the State Attorney General (FGE) of Quintana Roo also released a statement.
“The FGE is investigating an armed attack that killed the Secretary of Citizen Security of Tulum. The State Attorney General’s Office reports the initiation of an investigation following the events that occurred Friday night in the La Veleta neighborhood of Tulum which resulted in the unfortunate death of the Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Tulum, José Roberto Rodríguez Bautista.
“In addition to the official, another person died. Initial investigations link him to a criminal group that generated violence in the municipality, dedicated to the sale of narcotics.
“After the attack, the police commander was taken in serious condition to a hospital for medical treatment, where despite efforts to save him, he died hours later.
“This Social Representation, through the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Homicide, is conducting the corresponding inquiries, as well as field forensic studies, legal autopsies, ballistics examinations, forensic medicine, and sodium rhodizonate testing, among others, in order to gather all the evidence of this attack, which will be integrated into the corresponding investigation file, in order to find those responsible.
“This autonomous body reaffirms its commitment to working tirelessly, in coordination with authorities at all three levels of government, to find criminals and bring them to justice.”
