Mexican journalist Hamurabi Huesca Manzano has been killed in a shooting in Oaxaca state, southern Mexico, in an incident that has drawn renewed attention to the dangers faced by media professionals in the country.

Huesca Manzano, who headed the digital news platform Pinotepa Comunica, was killed on Friday, October 9, in Santiago Pinotepa Nacional, according to reports citing the Oaxaca State Prosecutor’s Office. The platform, which has more than 52,000 followers, covers political developments and community issues in the region.

The shooting also claimed the lives of two other men, while reports indicated that a woman was injured. Authorities said the incident occurred in the town’s Planta y Porvenir neighbourhood as an armed group attacked a location where Huesca was present.

According to the preliminary account released by state prosecutors, Huesca was also working as a taxi driver and was reportedly waiting to transport a client when the shooting occurred. Investigators believe the attack was directed at the client, whom authorities identified by the initials D.A.S.A. and the alias “El Darío.” The individual later died after being taken to hospital.

The prosecutor’s office said investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding the attack, including a possible dispute between local criminal groups. However, the available public information does not establish whether Huesca’s death was connected to his work as a journalist.

Press freedom advocates have called for authorities to investigate his professional activities as part of the inquiry. Article 19, an organisation that campaigns for freedom of expression and journalists’ safety, urged investigators to give his journalism proper consideration rather than overlooking a possible professional motive.

Huesca’s death adds to concerns about the safety of reporters working in local communities, where journalists covering politics, public affairs and security issues can face significant risks.

Mexico has a long record of violence against media workers, particularly those reporting on organised crime, corruption and local political affairs. Reporters Without Borders has repeatedly identified the country as one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.

The exact number of journalists killed in Mexico during 2026 varies across monitoring organisations because their classifications and verification processes differ. Huesca’s killing has prompted renewed calls for stronger protection for media workers and thorough investigations into attacks on journalists.

Authorities in Oaxaca said investigative teams had been deployed to gather evidence and identify those responsible. As of the initial reports, no arrests had been publicly confirmed.

The case has also highlighted the importance of determining whether violence against a journalist is connected to their reporting, while ensuring that investigators examine all relevant circumstances before reaching a conclusion.

Reporting by TalkNaijaMedia