US fugitive fatally shoots ‘Gringo Hunters’ officer in Mexico

Members of security forces work near a crime scene where a US citizen shot and killed Abigail Esparza Reyes, in Tijuana, Mexico, on Wednesday. Photograph: Reuters

A US fugitive has shot and killed a Mexican police officer in the elite international liaison unit – known as “the Gringo Hunters” – which specialises in arresting US citizens on the run in Mexico.

Mexico has long been seen as a place to escape US law enforcement. The Gringo Hunters was set up in 2002 to cooperate with US authorities, and have since arrested more than 1,600 fugitives.