Chivís Martínez for Borderland Beat
Last Thursday was the killing of a prominent leader of Caballeros Templarios. The dead Templario, is Osvaldo Tapia Padillais Tapia, 26, a CT leader in charge of illicit mining operations in Michoacán, He was reported as shot and killed by federal forces, in an intense shootout in which he initiated using high-powered weapons against members of the Navy.
The conflict was reported on throughout Mexico, but one was hard pressed to access consistent facts or confirmation of facts. Most of the media reported that a Marina (Navy) helicopter had been shot down by Templarios members.
What is now reported by authorities is Tapia, along with a group of Templarios, opened fire on the helicopter, shooting from a Mercedes Benz near the town of Arteaga.
The helicopter then landed to repel the attack however, the landing resulted in confusion and reports were broadcast of a Navy helicopter being shot down, supported by the fact there was a loss of communications with the crew for a couple of hours after landing.
In reality, marines riding in the helicopter descended to pursue the passengers Mercedes Benz, who at one point left the vehicle and fled on foot through the mountainous area of Arteaga.
According to the report by the marines and given superiors, Tapia Osvaldo Padilla, a native and resident of Arteaga port Lázaro Cárdenas, lost his life by refusing to surrender and engaged in a shootout.
The cell leader of the Templarios, fell deadwith his gun in his right hand - as shown in the picture - while his three companions managed to escape, but left important clues about their identities within the luxury car abandoned on a dirt road.
Source: Facebook and Quadratín