Tijuana Police Arrest Man in Editor’s Death

Police here Saturday announced the arrest of a race track security officer in the murder of Hector (Gato) Felix Miranda, the satirical newspaper columnist who was shot to death last month as he drove to work.

The alleged assassin was identified as Victoriano Medina Moreno, a security guard at the Agua Caliente race track and a former Baja California state police officer who was fired from the force for “unspecified irregularities.”

Police also are seeking the race track director of security, Antonio Vera Palestina, who was identified as the driver of the getaway car used in the April 20 shotgun killing.

Admission Reported

The arrest of Medina, who is in his 40s, was announced by Miguel Ruvalcaba, an officer of the Baja California judicial state police. “We’re sure he did the killing,” Ruvalcaba said.

Police said Medina has admitted killing Felix in response to articles Felix wrote about the former officer. The contents of the articles were not immediately disclosed. Authorities said they have recovered the getaway car and expect to recover the gun used in the killing, which Medina told them is at the race track.

The death of Felix triggered outrage among journalists and others on both sides of the border and has also sparked political controversy in the border state of Baja California, where thousands of protesters have demanded action from the administration of Gov. Xicotencatl Leyva Mortera.

J. Jesus Blancornelas, who co-founded and co-edited the weekly Zeta along with Felix, said Saturday night that he is satisfied thus far with the police effort in connection with the case. However, Blancornelas, who has vowed to pursue the case until it is thoroughly resolved, declined further comment until more details of the arrest are public.