Brother of boxer Julio Cesar Chavez slain in home in Mexico

CULIACAN, Mexico – The brother of legendary boxer Julio Cesar Chavez was killed in his home in western Mexico, state authorities said Monday.

Sinaloa state prosecutor Juan Jose Rios said in a news conference that two men entered the rear of Rafael Chavez Gonzalez’s house in Culiacan on Sunday night. One was armed and demanded money.

Some amount of money was handed over, but they demanded more, Rios said. When Chavez resisted he was shot.

Another brother, Roberto Chavez Gonzalez, confirmed that account Monday and said his brother was shot in front of his family.

Rios also said that overnight about 10 armed men kidnapped a still undetermined number of people from a restaurant in Culiacan. One of the victims has already been released, he said. The restaurant is popular with local politicians.

Murders are up significantly in Mexico this year. During the first five months of 2017, there were 9,916 killings nationwide — an increase of about 30 per cent over the 7,638 slain during the same period last year.

Also Monday, in the neighbouring state of Sonora, police found over 55,500 rounds of ammunition and 18 rifles, hidden aboard a flatbed tractor trailer.

The federal police said they pulled over the driver, and an inspection showed a hidden compartment in the truck’s flat bed.