A federal policeman injured in yesterday's shootout in Tijuana has died. He's the fourth policeman to be killed in the city since Monday. Observers says this week has opened a new chapter in Mexico's war on drug cartels. KPBS reporter Amy Isackson has the story.
The week began with hit men killing three high-ranking policemen in Tijuana.
They also killed an agent's wife and young daughter and injured three children.
Then, yesterday, police and gunmen had a three-hour shootout that terrorized Tijuana. Police say the gunmen are members of the city's Arellano Felix drug cartel.
New state and federal officials in Mexico have made fighting organized crime their number one priority.
Victor Clark directs a human rights center in Tijuana he's studied crime in the city for the last 15 years.
He says cartels are hitting back with equal force.
Clark says cartels have radically changed their rules in response to the government crackdown. He says family members and civilians aren't untouchable anymore. Clark says it’s a brutal, unforgiving violence.
He predicts the violence may not let up for awhile.
Amy Isackson, KPBS News.
