The private secretary and an adviser to the mayor of Mexico City were shot dead by gunmen on a motorcycle in an attack in the Mexican capital Tuesday.
Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said Ximena Guzmán and José Muñoz died “during a direct attack,” in the Moderna neighborhood.
Brugada, as mayor of Mexico City, holds the country’s second most powerful political office after the country’s President Claudia Sheinbaum. Brugada and Sheinbaum are allies in the Morena party.
Mexico City and federal authorities said they are investigating the motive for the attack and are analyzing surveillance footage to identify the gunmen.
The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office said the attack took place when the two officials were on their way to work and their vehicle was intercepted.
The attack took place between Calzada de Tlalpan and Napoleón Street.
Footage from the crime scene showed a forensic team inspecting a vehicle with several bullet holes in the windshield.
Brugada said her government was “deeply saddened” by the loss of their colleagues, describing Guzmán as a wonderful and kind woman, and Muñoz as one of the smartest people she’s ever met.
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Sheinbaum expressed condolences to the loved ones of the two officials during her press conference Tuesday morning and offered her support to the investigation.
“We will get to the bottom of this situation and ensure justice is served,” Sheinbaum said.
The president said both Guzmán and Muñoz had been “working in our movement (the Morena party) for a long time; we have known them.”
