Crime in Mexico: Teenage boy confesses to murdering abusive stepfather

A former member of the Mexican Armed Forces was by a gunshot wound to the head on Tuesday after armed assailants entered his home in the Miguel Hidalgo district of Mexico City.

The 49-year-old victim was identified as Rafael and previously held the rank of second sergeant in the country’s army, local media sources reported.

According to the victim’s 13-year-old stepson, two armed men knocked on the door of the family’s home on Tueseday afternoon and opened fire after his stepfather opened it. Although Rafael reportedly ran for cover after the shooting began, he collapsed after being struck by a bullet to the head, after which the assailants managed to escape the scene.

Police reportedly returned to the victim’s home after reviewing surveillance cameras in the area and questioned the minor after the video failed to show the two alleged shooters.  

Instead, the cameras showed Rafael walking with his stepson as the 13-year-old attempted to remove something from the front of his pants. Seconds later, a bang was heard and the boy screamed for help and ran into the home before running back outside seconds later, Infobae reported.

After the minor was questioned, he confessed that he was “tired of being beaten by his stepfather” and admitted to inventing the shooting to avoid getting caught. He also disclosed that a local mechanic provided him with the Smith & Wesson .38 caliber revolver which he used to murder Rafael.

In March, another retired military officer was found dead at his home in Zamora after being stabbed multiple times in the neck. The victim, identified as Gabriel S., was 48 years old.