Mexican journalist shot dead outside home in Tijuana

A Mexican photojournalist was shot in the head outside of his home in the crime-plagued city of Tijuana, officials said.

Baja California officials responded to a 911 call that found Margarito Martinez's body outside of his home, according to the Attorney General's office.

"He was coming out of his house when they opened fire on him," said Cadena Noticias reporter Antonio Maya.

The journalist, 47, worked in Tijuana for several national and international news outlets covering gang violence in the border city. Martinez was part of a state program that tried to safeguard the lives of journalists who covered complex regions.

"He recently entered the protection program because he received threats," said a fellow journalist.

It is still unclear if his murder was related to his work.

Martinez is the second journalist to be killed this year in Mexico, following the death of Jose Gamboa last week in Veracruz. Gamboa was stabbed on January 10.

Tijuana is one of Mexico's most violent cities since it is constantly in turf wars between drug gangs, and is part of human trafficking routes.

"Freedom of expression, in all its forms, is a fundamental right of citizens," said the Baja California Attorney General's Office in a statement.