A man gunned down outside his Ajijic home Tuesday, September 22 is believed to have been a principal connection for expat residents who indulge in illegal substances, the Chapala police chief has told the Reporter.
The individual has been identified as Jose Luis “Pepe” Farias Rochin, 62.
The murder occurred shortly after noon at Calle Nicolas Bravo 7, a few blocks from the center of Ajijic. Witnesses reported that Farias was shot at the doorstep of his residence by a male assailant who escaped the scene in a recent model black pickup truck with polarized windows.
Officials at the Chapala Ministerio Público (district attorney’s office) revealed that Farias had been struck by at least three gun shots to the forehead and abdomen. Several nine-millimeter bullet casings were recovered from the ground. Two small packets containing a substance resembling crystal meth were also discovered among the belongings on his person.
A team from the Jalisco Institute of Forensic Sciences arrived several hours after the shooting to investigate the crime scene and transport the corpse to Guadalajara for an autopsy. Family members later retrieved the body for a funeral service held Thursday afternoon at the San Andres church.
Farias was well known around town as a colorful character and amateur musician who frequented village bars. For many years he was a fixture on the Chili Cookoff entertainment bill, amusing crowds with a mixed repertoire of popular Mexican and American tunes, including his signature song “Hotel California.” With a vivacious personality and fluent command of English, Farias easily made friends with foreigners.
Chapala police chief Moisés Torres branded him as a small-time drug dealer who regularly supplied local users, including clientele in the expat community underground.