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Mexico captures 'Los Zetas' member accused in killing of prosecutor

By Andrew V. Pestano
José Luis de León, a public prosecutor for Mexico's Nuevo León state, was gunned down on February 6 outside of his home. A Mexican official on Tuesday said security forces have captured the prime suspect in the "revenge" assassination. File photo courtesy of Mexico Attorney General's Office
José Luis de León, a public prosecutor for Mexico's Nuevo León state, was gunned down on February 6 outside of his home. A Mexican official on Tuesday said security forces have captured the prime suspect in the "revenge" assassination. File photo courtesy of Mexico Attorney General's Office

Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Mexico announced it has arrested the chief suspect in the "revenge" killing of prosecutor José Luis de León, who was gunned down outside his home earlier this month.

Aldo Fasci Zuazua, the public security secretariat for Nuevo León state, in northeastern Mexico, announced the arrest at a press conference on Tuesday, when the suspect appeared in court there.

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"I inform you that [we] detained one of the perpetrators of the crime against the prosecutor De León, who was our comrade and friend," Fasci Zuazua said. "This is a crime in which those detained refer that they are of the cartel of Los Zetas and that the act had to do with revenge against José Luis de León."

Fasci Zuazua said authorities are still searching for a suspect accused of providing material support for the killing and another accused of orchestrating it.

De León was fatally shot with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle outside of his home on Feb. 6. Witnesses told police the killing was conducted by a group of men.

Authorities previously arrested Juan Hernández Martínez, whom Fasci Zuazua said is accused of acting as the lookout who told the gunmen when De León arrived. Hernández Martínez is charged with qualified homicide.

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The press conference in which Fasci Zuazua made the announcement is available to view online.

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