Francisco Ortiz Franco
Encyclopedia
Francisco Javier Ortiz Franco (Guanajuato, Guanajuato
, 1954 – Tijuana, Baja California
, 22 June 2004) was a Mexican
journalist
.
He was shot five times at the wheel of his car by masked gunmen in a drive-by shooting
. The murder took place in full view of his son and daughter (aged 8 and 10), as he left a midday doctor's appointment.
At the time of his death, he was one of three contributing editors to the Baja California
n newsmagazine Zeta
. This weekly publication, which he had helped found in 1980, was known for its investigative ("crusading", according to some accounts) journalism. In 1997 its founder Jesús Blancornelas
was shot at and severely injured in an attack that left his personal bodyguard dead.
Guanajuato, Guanajuato
Guanajuato is a city and municipality in central Mexico and the capital of the state of the same name. It is located in a narrow valley, which makes the streets of the city narrow and winding. Most are alleys that cars cannot pass through, and some are long sets of stairs up the mountainsides....
, 1954 – Tijuana, Baja California
Tijuana
Tijuana is the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula and center of the Tijuana metropolitan area, part of the international San Diego–Tijuana metropolitan area. An industrial and financial center of Mexico, Tijuana exerts a strong influence on economics, education, culture, art, and politics...
, 22 June 2004) was a Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
journalist
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
.
He was shot five times at the wheel of his car by masked gunmen in a drive-by shooting
Drive-by shooting
A drive-by shooting is a form of hit-and-run tactic, a personal attack carried out by an individual or individuals from a moving or momentarily stopped vehicle without use of headlights to avoid being noticed. It often results in bystanders being shot instead of, or as well as, the intended target...
. The murder took place in full view of his son and daughter (aged 8 and 10), as he left a midday doctor's appointment.
At the time of his death, he was one of three contributing editors to the Baja California
Baja California
Baja California officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Baja California is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is both the northernmost and westernmost state of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1953, the area was known as the North...
n newsmagazine Zeta
Zeta (magazine)
Zeta is a Mexican magazine published every Friday in Tijuana by Choix Editores. This publication regularly runs exposés on the local and federal governments as well as on organized crime. As a result, its co-founder and co-director J. Jesús Blancornelas suffered several murder attempts, including...
. This weekly publication, which he had helped found in 1980, was known for its investigative ("crusading", according to some accounts) journalism. In 1997 its founder Jesús Blancornelas
Jesús Blancornelas
Jesús Blancornelas was a Mexican journalist.-Biography:Born Juan Jesús Blanco Ornelas in San Luis Potosí, he held his first job as a reporter in that city...
was shot at and severely injured in an attack that left his personal bodyguard dead.