El Monte Principal’s Assistant Shot in Mexico
By Evan Delgado
On Thursday, (date), beloved El Monte educator Augustin Roberto “Bobby” Salcedo was found in a ravine along with 5 other men, bullet wounds in his head and chest. His entire family was in shock, and his community was hit hard by his loss. Salcedo had been eating dinner with his wife and some friends when the restaurant was stormed by gunmen. He had been taken along with some other men, and later killed in an execution. His brother Carlos was horrified by the entire ordeal, and had been texting his brother a few hours before the occurrence. The educators funeral was attended by over 4,000 students, friends, family, and residents of El Monte, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” playing over the speakers to honor the die-hard Dodger fan. Students often recalled the lighter side of the assistant principal, including the time he set up and over the top, toga-themed party for students. All of his co-workers stated how dedicated he was to teaching and his community.
Over the years, crime has spread like a wildfire through Mexico, and there is a large concentration in Durango, the state of Mexico containing Gomez Palacio, the city which Salcedo had been visiting. The high industry district, and where many goods are sent to the US has become a strategic point of interest for the many battling drug cartels. As the drug wars picked up, so did crime in general, neighbors without work even posing as cartel members and extorting residents. Families have even stopped visits to see family, and one store owner moved his store from the public to his own home. Crime rates have topped the records of last year in the state, and various residents state that it is due to the ineffectiveness of the Mexican government.
Salcedo was a valued member of the community, volunteering and dedicating his life to education, and was a beloved husband. It seems the Salcedo was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, dragged into the drug wars of Mexico. The valued educator will be missed by colleagues, his family, his friends his students, and by all of California.
By Evan Delgado
On Thursday, (date), beloved El Monte educator Augustin Roberto “Bobby” Salcedo was found in a ravine along with 5 other men, bullet wounds in his head and chest. His entire family was in shock, and his community was hit hard by his loss. Salcedo had been eating dinner with his wife and some friends when the restaurant was stormed by gunmen. He had been taken along with some other men, and later killed in an execution. His brother Carlos was horrified by the entire ordeal, and had been texting his brother a few hours before the occurrence. The educators funeral was attended by over 4,000 students, friends, family, and residents of El Monte, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” playing over the speakers to honor the die-hard Dodger fan. Students often recalled the lighter side of the assistant principal, including the time he set up and over the top, toga-themed party for students. All of his co-workers stated how dedicated he was to teaching and his community.
Over the years, crime has spread like a wildfire through Mexico, and there is a large concentration in Durango, the state of Mexico containing Gomez Palacio, the city which Salcedo had been visiting. The high industry district, and where many goods are sent to the US has become a strategic point of interest for the many battling drug cartels. As the drug wars picked up, so did crime in general, neighbors without work even posing as cartel members and extorting residents. Families have even stopped visits to see family, and one store owner moved his store from the public to his own home. Crime rates have topped the records of last year in the state, and various residents state that it is due to the ineffectiveness of the Mexican government.
Salcedo was a valued member of the community, volunteering and dedicating his life to education, and was a beloved husband. It seems the Salcedo was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, dragged into the drug wars of Mexico. The valued educator will be missed by colleagues, his family, his friends his students, and by all of California.