A rising teenage Mexican singer, known by his stage name Chuy Montana, was tragically shot and killed by his captors.
The incident occurred on Wednesday night on the side of the road in Tijuana, Mexico. Tijuana police reported that a group of armed men attempted to kidnap the 25-year-old singer, who was associated with the band Corridos Tumbados, on the road between Playas de Rosarito and Tijuana.
Cardenas managed to escape by jumping out of the vehicle in which he was being held, but his captors fired multiple shots, leaving him dead with his wrists bound, as reported by the news source.
Photos obtained by Punto Norte from the scene show the musician lying beside an orange Renault Stepway van.
His record label, Street Mob Records, founded by famous Mexican musician Jesús Ortiz Paz of the band Fuerza Regida, confirmed his death in a statement.
“On behalf of Street Mob Records, we deeply regret the death of our brother and coworker Chuy Montana,” the Instagram post read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this sad time.” They also asked the media to respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
Cardenas gained popularity on social media for singing and playing guitar between cars waiting to cross the border back into the US through San Ysidro, Tijuana. His talent was recognized by Jesús Ortiz Paz, who later signed him to Street Mob Records.
A video circulating on social media captures the moment when Cardenas and another guitarist encountered Ortiz Paz, who was waiting in line to cross back into the US from Mexico. In the video, Cardenas sings for Ortiz Paz, who then asks if he wrote the song himself. Ortiz Paz then offers Cardenas a contract with Street Mob Records, making him an official member of the label.
Cardenas gained fame with his singles “Porte de Scarface” and “Ramos Buchones,” and was featured in Fuerza Regida’s latest single “Polvos de Chanel” from their album “Pa las Baby’s y Belikeada.”
Ortiz Paz, deeply saddened by Cardenas’s death, shared two videos of the two performing together in what appeared to be private settings. One of the videos was posted on his Instagram Stories, showing Cardenas playing the guitar while Ortiz Paz rapped. In the second video, filmed in an elegant backyard, Cardenas and Ortiz Paz can be seen rapping together.