Imagine a bustling courthouse plaza in the heart of Mexico City, where justice is supposed to reign, only to become the scene of a cold-blooded killing.
According to the Daily Mail, on a late afternoon this month, celebrity attorney David Cohen Sacal was gunned down as he exited a courthouse, later succumbing to his injuries in a private hospital the following day, sparking outrage and fear over violence against legal professionals in Mexico.
This brazen attack unfolded at the Courthouse Plaza in Mexico City's "Judicial City," a hub for the Superior Court, criminal and civil courts, and even the Attorney General's Office, supposedly under tight police watch.
Shocking Attack in a Secure Zone
Eye-witnesses described a chilling moment when a young man approached Sacal and fired at least two shots, one striking his head and another his thigh, leaving him in critical condition.
Disturbing video footage captured the aftermath, showing Sacal collapsed in a pool of blood as emergency responders rushed to save him, a grim reminder of how even high-profile figures aren't safe in broad daylight.
Despite their efforts, Sacal passed away the next day from the devastating head wound, leaving behind a wife of 11 years and three young daughters, a personal tragedy that amplifies the public outrage.
Suspects Apprehended in Swift Response
The shooter didn't get far, as an off-duty officer intervened, wounding the fleeing attacker in the arm after he attempted to escape on a motorcycle.
Authorities identified the gunman as 18-year-old Hector Hernandez, who reportedly admitted to being paid nearly $2,000 for the hit, a confession that raises chilling questions about who orchestrated this murder. Hernandez allegedly stated, "I did not personally know the victim," a claim that only deepens the mystery of motive while pointing to a hired-hand scenario (source: police reports).
Investigation Uncovers a Wider Conspiracy
Adding to the intrigue, a second suspect, identified only as Donovan 'N', was apprehended the same day Sacal died, believed to be a middleman connecting the shooter to the mastermind behind this assassination.
The Mexico City Prosecutor's office has launched a full homicide investigation, combing through security footage and evidence to determine if this tragedy links back to one of Sacal’s contentious, high-stakes cases.
Sacal, a seasoned litigator from a Jewish family who co-founded Cohen Medina Chávez, handled up to 90 cases annually, representing stars like singer Anahi, actress Maite Perroni, and model Sebastian Rulli, which likely made him a target for powerful enemies.
Concerns Mount Over Legal Safety
Some who knew Sacal described him as having "flexible ethics" with a knack for navigating both sides of legal battles. This trait might have won him clients but also brewed resentment in dangerous circles (source: unattributed).
His death has sent shockwaves through Mexico’s legal community, with the Mexico Bar Association demanding stronger protections for attorneys and prosecutors, a call that resonates as violence against professionals seems to spiral unchecked.
Beyond Mexico, the incident has stirred international concern, given Sacal’s ties to global celebrities—none of whom have yet spoken publicly on this loss—highlighting how even fame offers no shield against such brutality.
