Thousands protest fatal shooting by Mexico’s National Guard

Guanajuato, Mexico, May 3 (EFE).- Thousands of students at the University of Guanajuato marched in this central Mexican city Tuesday to demand justice for classmate Angel Yael Ignacio Rangel, who died last week when a member of a National Guard fired on the vehicle in which was riding.

“Angel did not die, the Guard killed him!,” protesters chanted during the mobilization in Guanajuato city, the state capital.

The shooting took place April 27 in the nearby city of Irapuato.

The victim, an agronomy student, and girlfriend Edith Alejandra Carrillo Franco were traveling in an SUV driven by Aaron Eduardo Ramirez Jorge after participating in a gathering when a marine assigned to a National Guard unit started shooting at them from a distance of 150 m (164 yards).

Witnesses say he opened fire without warning or provocation.

The marine also ignored repeated orders from the commander of the National Guard unit to cease fire.

A second member of the unit also fired his weapon, but none of his shots struck the occupants of the vehicle.

Angel was pronounced dead at the scene, while Edith was seriously wounded. Aaron Ramirez escaped unharmed.

While both shooters were detained, one was released last Saturday, though the federal Attorney General’s Office said it plans to appeal that decision.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Monday that those responsible for Angel’s death will be held accountable. EFE fv/dr