Mexico drug lord shot dead by clown assassins

Gunmen in disguise kill lieutenant of once-powerful Tijuana cartel during family children's party.

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The eldest brother of Mexico's once powerful Arellano Felix drug cartel family was killed by gunmen dressed as clowns at a children's party, according to a Mexican investigator.

Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix, 63, was shot dead on Friday during a family event in Cabo San Lucas, a tourist resort in the Baja California peninsula, state special investigations prosecutor Isai Arias told the AP news agency on Saturday.

"He was hit by two bullets, one in the thorax and one in the head," Arias said, adding that the former Tijuana drug cartel lieutenant's body was identified by relatives.

Authorities close to the case said the gunmen were disguised as clowns when they shot Arellano Felix at the party in the luxurious Casa Oceano tourist residence.

An official of the Baja California Sur state prosecutor's office told the AP that the costumes included a wig and a round red nose.