The Mexican bodybuilding community is in mourning following the tragic murder of renowned athlete Luis Manuel “El Charro” Lomelí on Thursday night in León, Guanajuato. Lomelí, 45, was shot and killed in his vehicle in an armed attack that authorities are still investigating.
Lomelí was a legendary figure in Mexican bodybuilding, having won numerous championships and set records over his decades-long career. Nicknamed “El Charro,” he was born in León in 1978 and became passionate about the sport from a young age.
In 2008, he achieved his greatest triumph by winning the overall title at the prestigious Mr. Mexico competition. He also held the championship of the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) Pro League.
Apart from competing, Lomelí was the owner of a gym called Team Charro in León, where he worked as a trainer and instructor for aspiring bodybuilders.
Details of the Attack
According to initial reports, Lomelí was driving his black Dodge Ram pickup truck on Thursday night after leaving a restaurant in León. At approximately 8 PM, as he drove down Juan Alonso de Torres Boulevard, armed assailants pulled up beside his vehicle in another car and opened fire.
Lomelí attempted to speed away in reverse but collided with another vehicle. He suffered fatal gunshot wounds and was declared dead at the scene. His body was left in the truck as authorities arrived to cordon off the area and begin an investigation. The passenger traveling with Lomelí was unharmed in the attack.
Previous Threats
In a tragic turn of events, Lomelí had already been targeted in a previous attack last February, which he survived after undergoing arm surgery. He also revealed recently that he had been receiving death threats since February, which led him to cancel a planned bodybuilding event in León.
Lomelí expressed frustration in a social media video back in June that his formal complaints yielded no results or protection from authorities. This previous context suggests his murder could have been a premeditated, targeted assassination.
Reactions and Investigation
The brutal killing of one of Mexico’s most renowned athletes has sent shockwaves through the bodybuilding community, where Lomelí was widely known and respected.
The Guanajuato State Attorney General’s office has opened an investigation into the homicide under the supervision of criminal investigators and forensics teams. They are currently gathering evidence and analyzing surveillance cameras in the area to identify the perpetrators, who remain at large.
Figures across Mexican bodybuilding have taken to social media to express their grief, condolences, and calls for justice over the senseless murder of their peer. The state government also released statements mourning the loss of Lomelí as a championship athlete.
What Happens Next?
As the investigation continues, important questions remain about whether Lomelí’s murder was linked to organized crime or intimidation. The authorities face mounting pressure to solve this high-profile homicide, capture the criminals responsible, and provide answers to the bodybuilding community and Lomelí’s bereaved family.
For now, Mexico grapples with the slaying of a sports hero just weeks before he was set to mentor the country’s next generation of bodybuilders. Lomelí’s legacy and impact on the sport will not be forgotten even as his tragic death resonates nationwide.