MEXICO CITY (AP) — The violent city of Leon, located in the north-central state of Guanajuato, has been shaken by the killing of a local activist who dedicated his efforts to documenting the city’s murders. Adolfo Enríquez, described as an “activist demanding a country with the rule of law,” was fatally shot after leaving a restaurant in Leon, marking him as murder victim number 56 in the city.

Enríquez, who had been documenting each murder in Leon, posted a tragic security camera video of a woman’s stabbing death in August, which spurred authorities into action leading to the arrest of the perpetrator. His efforts shed light on the violent reality of the city, where deadly turf battles between drug cartels have become all too common.

This tragic incident adds to the grim statistics of crimes against activists in Mexico, where six volunteer search activists looking for disappeared relatives have been killed in 2021 alone. The country has also been labeled the deadliest place in the world for environmental and land defense activists, with 54 killed in 2021, according to a 2022 report by a nongovernmental group.

The number of murders in Leon in recent months has been distressingly high, with 64 recorded in October and a further 55 in November up until Enríquez’s unfortunate demise. He also actively posted videos of crimes like robberies and muggings, appealing to the public for help in identifying criminals. Local media reported that Enríquez was killed after leaving a restaurant, with the assailant fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.

State prosecutors have confirmed Enríquez’s death and are currently investigating the attack, which further highlights the dangers faced by those who work to shine a light on the violence and criminal activities plaguing Mexican society.

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