Mexican Vice Admiral Ambushed and Killed by Criminal Group Los Templarios

Mexican Vice Admiral Carlos Miguel Salazar Ramonet was ambushed and killed on Sunday afternoon in Michoacan by masked gunmen, according to news reports.

Salazar was the Commander of the Eighth Naval District based in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and at the time was traveling with his wife and two bodyguards, one of whom was also murdered during the attack, according to police sources.

In a statement, the Navy said the attack occurred at noon on Sunday on a road between the towns of La Noria and Las Cruces, in the township of Churinitzio. The first reports indicate that Salazar was traveling in his van on a road that leads to Guadalajara, when they encountered a protest that was blocking the road.

Due to the protest, the vehicles in which Salazar and his entourage were traveling had to turn toward the town of Las Cruces. Approximately 1.5 miles southwest of La Noria, the vehicle was ambushed by at least two vehicles and some assailants on foot, according to police.

Reports indicate that most of the shots fired came from a field on the side of the road.

Fernando Ricardo Hernandez was also killed on the scene, while Salazar's wife and another guard were wounded by gun fire.

On Monday, officials reported that they had arrested three people allegedly linked to the murders. Ministry sources confirmed that after the attack, members of the Armed Forces, National Defense and PGR initiated coordinated action to trace the attackers responsible.

The three suspects were taken to SEIDO facilities in Mexico, where they admitted to being part of the criminal organization known as Los Templarios.

Eduardo Sanchez, Mexico's National Security spokesman, said the three suspects detained were Jose Trinidad Arroyo Regalado, Ramiro Barajas Vargas Alvarado and Timothy Infante.

Sanchez also said that on hearing that the toll road was blocked, Salazar decided to take an alternate route to arrive on time to work, so he followed that route until he was ambushed.

"On his way he was intercepted by a truck that blocked his path and asked him to identify himself. A moment later a second truck that was probably part of the same group, started shooting."

Sanchez added that Salazar Ramonet covered his wife, who was slightly injured in the attack and is now out of danger.