On Friday morning, violence struck the ranks of the Baja California State Attorney General’s Office (FGEBC). Ángel Pantoja, who served as a coordinator within the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes Against Life, fell victim to a targeted attack while driving through the streets of the Villas Residencial del Rey neighborhood.
The ambush took place shortly after 9:00 a.m. at the intersection of Lázaro Cárdenas Avenue and Horticultores Street.
According to forensic reports, the assault was perpetrated by at least two cells of hitmen acting in concert to corner the official: *Noticias sobre Narcotráfico*.
A gray Kia vehicle suddenly cut across the path of the SUV Pantoja was driving, forcing him to come to a halt or slow down significantly.
Simultaneously, a Honda CRV pulled up alongside him on the left. From inside the vehicle, armed assailants unleashed a barrage of gunfire upon the coordinator.
Upon sustaining the gunshot wounds, the agent died instantly. Due to the momentum of the attack, his foot remained pressed against the accelerator, causing his SUV to crash into another vehicle a few meters ahead; the wheels continued to spin until authorities arrived to assist.
Ángel Pantoja held a critical position within the state security apparatus. As the coordinator for intentional homicides in Ensenada, his work was fundamental to the investigation of high-impact crimes and offenses linked to organized crime. His execution represents a direct blow to the very institution charged with investigating—precisely—crimes against life.
