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Tijuana Mayor's Bodyguard Ambushed

Gunmen ambushed the chief bodyguard to the mayor of Tijuana early Tuesday morning. The bodyguard was not injured. However, the attack broke a period of relative calm in Tijuana. Federal troops arrived

Tijuana Mayor's Bodyguard Ambushed

Gunmen ambushed the chief bodyguard to the mayor of Tijuana early Tuesday morning. The bodyguard was not injured. However, the attack broke a period of relative calm in Tijuana. Federal troops arrived in the border city three weeks ago to crackdown on crime. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has details.

Tijuana's Municipal Police Chief says the mayor's bodyguard, Jorge Vera, was driving home at one a.m., when he was surprised by two cars. Gunmen started shooting. But Vera escaped unscathed because his car is armored.

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Vera is one of the few Tijuana Municipal policemen to still carry a gun, because of he's the mayor's bodyguard. Federal authorities took guns away from the local force three weeks ago.

Vera has been the subject of some controversy. That's because his father is in jail for murdering a prominent Tijuana journalist. And his father worked as the mayor's bodyguard at the time of the killing.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Victor Zatarain laments the ambush. He said he didn't want to start this year with more attacks on police after 13 officers were killed last year.

Amy Isackson, KPBS News.