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Puebla authorities arrested 67-year-old Rafael "N" in the early hours of July 14, identifying him as the alleged perpetrator of at least 12 firearm attacks against motorists on Vía Atlixcáyotl and other areas of the state.
During the operation carried out at the Santa Fe residential complex in the municipality of San Andrés Cholula, Rafael "N" allegedly fired at security personnel; however, none were injured.
But who is Rafael "N" and how did the authorities manage to identify him? Here we tell you everything that is known so far about the so-called Atlixcáyotl Shooter.
¿Por qué lo apodaron el Tirador de la Atlixcáyotl?
Rafael "N" received the nickname "Atlixcáyotl Shooter" because he allegedly fired at motorists traveling along Vía Atlixcáyotl and nearby areas.
The case gained notoriety because similar attacks against motorists were recorded for several months without anyone being arrested. According to the investigations, the most recent attack occurred last Wednesday, when the driver of a Volkswagen Pointer was assaulted while driving near Angelópolis.
¿Cómo identificaron al presunto Tirador de la Atlixcáyotl?
According to reports from the Attorney General's Office of the State of Puebla and the Ministry of Public Security, both agencies worked together on the investigation and managed to identify the alleged attacker thanks to the analysis of video surveillance cameras.
Authorities detected that the same vehicle, which was driving without license plates, appeared repeatedly in different attacks.
Additionally, Metropolitan Prosecutor José Luis Hernández González explained that citizen reports were also fundamental to the investigation. Initially, the events seemed like isolated cases; however, after reconstructing each of the attacks, the authorities identified patterns in the areas and the modus operandi, which allowed progress in locating the suspect.
¿De qué se le acusa a Rafael "N"?
According to El Referente, Rafael "N" currently faces 10 charges against him: one for attempted qualified homicide and nine more for alleged property damage and dangerous attacks.
The charge of attempted homicide originated following the alleged shots fired at the security personnel who participated in his arrest.
¿Qué se sabe sobre la identidad del presunto Tirador de la Atlixcáyotl?
According to the media outlet El Referente, Rafael "N" has no prior criminal record, and authorities are investigating whether he is of foreign origin. The same outlet reported that three semi-automatic handguns were seized during his arrest.
On the other hand, some local media and journalists have pointed out that the detainee is of Spanish origin and is linked to companies in the pharmaceutical industry and the gas station sector. They also claim that he owns a water analysis laboratory and that he previously fired shots at a Telcel store located in Plaza Vía San Ángel.
So far, the Attorney General's Office of the State of Puebla has not officially confirmed these versions nor has it reported whether Rafael "N" is linked to those events.
[Publicidad]