A man in Arizona wanted for allegedly killing an oral surgeon for leaving him with a loose tooth died in a shootout with police in Mexico who were trying to arrest him, according to multiple news stories published on October 19.
Authorities in Mexico fatally shot Ernesto Rascón, 30, a U.S. citizen originally from Prescott Valley, AZ, on October 17 when they attempted to arrest him for allegedly stalking and executing oral surgeon Dr. Amed de Jesús Preciado Hernández, 42. Rascón died at the scene, according to the news stories.
Rascón allegedly opened fire on authorities and wounded two officers before he was fatally shot by police. Both officers were treated for their wounds and released from the hospital.
On October 15, Rascón went to a dental practice in Nogales, Mexico, where he had received dental treatment previosly. When he arrived at the office, Rascón allegedly appeared agitated and demanded an appointment. However, he purportedly became angry when he learned Hernández was unable to see him, according to the stories.
Rascón left the practice, the Punto Salud clinic, and waited in the parking lot for Hernández. Once the oral surgeon got into his vehicle, Rascón allegedly shot him multiple times. The incident was captured on a security camera, according to the stories.
Hernández died in the parking lot of a nearby hospital.
Authorities have said that the motive for the murder was a disagreement over a dental procedure. Rascón purportedly blamed Hernández for leaving him with a loose tooth, according to the stories.
On October 16, police in Mexico obtained a warrant for Rascón’s arrest. Mexican authorities coordinated with U.S. authorities to locate Rascón. While attempting to serve the warrant at a home where Rascón was hiding out, he opened fire on the officers, according to the stories.
