In Mexico, an arrest has been made in the 2006 killing of independent U.S. journalist Brad Will. The 36-year-old Will was shot and killed while covering the popular uprising against then-Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz. Will’s own camera captured the shooting, with armed men firing into the crowd from a distance. On Wednesday, Oaxaca Attorney General Manuel de Jesús López said the findings of a human rights group had helped resolve the case.
Manuel de Jesús López: “We followed a line of investigation which hadn’t previously been explored: a hypothesis that had been provided by the CNDH (National Commission for Human Rights) at the time. And, as has been explained, when that line of investigation was followed, we arrived at the same hypothesis. But it was also strengthened throughout the course of the investigation with the testimony of eyewitnesses.”
The suspect has been identified as Lenin Osorio. Oaxacan prosecutors had previously charged a Mexican activist for the killing, but Will’s own family had been among those to call for the activist’s release. José Luis García of the Oaxaca teachers’ union called the arrest a vindication for the group.
José Luis García: “Once again, we have to say that this is a victory for the teachers, in that today they have in custody the man believed to be responsible for the murder of American Brad Will which took place in 2006. The teachers’ union repeatedly said that our companion, Juan Manuel Martínez Moreno, was innocent.”
Will’s supporters have long believed pro-government paramilitaries were responsible for his killing, saying images captured at the scene show government and police officials shooting directly at demonstrators.