77 Year-Old Mexican Rancher Stands Up To Cartel , Kills 4, Wounds 2

[ZCORR Jay]

Whether you agree or disagree with what this man did you still have to admit he was brave and stood up to protect everything he worked so hard for.

 

[bobbarker]

Something else to add, to this incredible story, is how many others did he wound? Perhaps fatally?

All we know of the dead/wounded after the battle is that 4 were killed on site, and 2 were wounded badly enough that the cartel left them for dead, but that's not to say that there weren't more wounded, who perhaps later died, or even some that were killed while still in a vehicle, that the cartel didn't take the time to empty out before they beat retreat. As amazing as this story is, I think it's probably likely that other members were at least injured.

All in all, this is a phenomenal story of a man who would rather give his life in defense of what is his than bow down to the will and whims of cowards and criminals. A lot of people wouldn't have had the metal to do what he did.

 

[danprkr]

I read a study once many years ago. Nursing home residents over the age of 80 I think it was were asked what they regretted most. Nearly to a person they said it was that they didn't take enough risk in life.

This man will never have that problem. But, those that can't grasp that doing the right thing even when it costs will be the ones in that nursing home with those regrets. They can have them.

 

[MagnumDweeb]

I think most of us can be certain that this guy realized he was checking out for the last time. Too many things were stacked against him as far as odds. Heavily armed cartel gangsters, age of 77, and the impotent Mexican law enforcement on top of the ridiculous laws of self-defense in the country. If the guy had survived, how fast would he have been put in a Mexican prison like in Canada or England where righteous self-defense equals prison time. No the man had a choice to make, run and live to see tommorrow. Or get plumb mad and go out with your boots on. Admittedly if the odds were stocked like this for me I'd have tried to rig up some explosives and spring guns as suicide switches so if I bought the farm I'd still be taking the scum out long after I was gone. Die on your feet or on your knees with your face in the dirt with the bad guys' hands on the back of your head. Granted this guy was 77, home field advantage, and sometimes when you get the chance to pick how you are going to die, well better as a man than as a coward.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Dead at the end of it or not, I respect the heck out of that man. I'm sure he had no illusions about what was going to happen. And one man against many, taking out four is quite a feat. It's not Hollywood where the good guy takes out bag guys by the dozen without a scratch. The fact that he killed four and injured others is a testament to the mans skill and bravery. Nerves of steel that man had. I've seen younger, better trained and better equipped warriors panic in battle and never fire a shot.

 

[NMGonzo]

Increible, Dios lo tenga en la gloria ... but likely he is in Valhalla now.

 

[wankerjake]

The problem is, the man is still DEAD! He didn't win! Now there is nothing to stop the cartel from coming in and taking over the land.

He stood up and protected what was his. If more people did that, it would be harder for drug cartels to take over ranches and move poison into our country. It used to be that people would stand up and fight for what they've earned, now they teach that you should hand over your belongings to criminals in case you might get hurt. Well guess what, they hear the same advice and they are walking all over us.

I can only assume that's why so many of us carry concealed and believe in the right to bear arms, to protect what is ours. Can you imagine handing over your entire estate? I know why I carry anyway, and I know what my answer would be to that.

 

[MikeNice]

I find it interesting that people here are saying he was wrong. Isn't this the very reason we are armed? Don Alejo was standing against tyranny in a very real way. When the time for rhetoric ended he stood with resolve and died with honor. He refused to yield what was his to the predators.


I want to die a slave to principles. Not to men.
It's better to die upon your feet than to live upon your knees!
Emiliano Zapata would have been very proud.

 

[jbrown50]

He fought hard, alone, and not because he was afraid

What's impressive about this old guy is that he most likely was terrified, but he still fought to the end. Anyone who's ever been in combat understands what it takes to overcome the fear.

Anger.

In this case....anger at those punk drug cartel thugs and their arrogance.

 

[Carter]

If he had called the police or military I'm sure it would of backfired on him. He would of either disappeared sooner, they would of done nothing, showed too late, removed him for the cartel, or something else. The very least likely event in my mind is that they would of helped.

With the amount of cartel members he was facing, just imagine the number of bullets flying at him. The fact that he had time to pop of enough rounds to kill ATLEAST 4 and wound 2 is amazing. I wonder how many other wounded or dead got carried out with the cartel.

He was a hero. The kind that you read about or watch movies of in westerns. I could imagine John Wayne or Clint Eastwood portraying him.

But this wasn't a movie, it was real life. He made a noble and brave decision to stand up for what he had earned.


What troubles me is I'm sure the Mexican President will use this story in a massive spin to show how American Gun Laws are ruining his country.

 

[arizona_cards_11]

I'm shocked at some of the responses in this thread.....no doubt, they're a result of the love of life over principle. This is what happens when you have a worldview that evaluates the actions of individuals exclusively by the outcome, seeing life as the ultimate good.

Dying for what is right, good, and just is always better than a life that cowers before evil.

 

[Jmurman]

Thanks for this story. Maybe there is hope for Mexico after all.

 

[twofifty]

why did the Don state his intentions?

What I don't get is why did he telegraph his intentions?

This necessarily reduced his chances and in the end, his effectiveness.
Doing so is idiotic.

Sounds like a Hollywood B grade drama to me, complete with steely-eyed threats and counter-threats followed by ritualized combat. Soon as the Don made his threat, the Cartel could simply have killed him right there and then instead of coming back the next day. I imagine these thugs don't visit folk at home without being armed. Why give the old man time to get ready?

 

[Carter]

Sounds like a Hollywood B grade drama to me, complete with steely-eyed threats and counter-threats followed by ritualized combat. Soon as the Don made his threat, the Cartel could simply have killed him right there and then instead of coming back the next day. I imagine these thugs don't visit folk at home without being armed. Why give the old man time to get ready?

They probably didn't take him seriously.

 

[scrat]

Heck of a story. Hell of a man.

 

[David904]

There comes a time in every man's life when he has to choose between doing what is right and what is easy.

I pray every day that when that moment comes for me, I have the moral clarity and strength to do what is right. This man showed that he had both... In spades. We need more like him. I hope he crippled a bunch more of those SOBs.

 

[twofifty]

Yeah, but did he really have to make it harder on himself by declaring his intentions to the BGs?

Or is that part required by the dramatic narrative so many here are riffing on?

 

[youngda9]

He didn't lose either...he died proud, fighting for what was his!

He fought hard, alone, and not because he was afraid...likely knowing the whole time that he was gonna die right there.

He didn't lose...because a man with that resolve cannot be defeated!

Well said.

 

[danprkr]

Argue his tactics all you want, but we weren't there to make that call. What we KNOW is that he looked evil in the eye, and told it, "No, not here not today. You may get my land, buy you will pay for it with your blood."

Not a bad day's work if you ask me.

 

[Guillermo]

I wish he would have called some buddies.

the only thing more fearsome than a pissed off old man is a bunch of them.

 

[Shinbone]

If something isn't done about that border, lots of us may get our chance.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

I think some of you missed the point. This man died as he lived. On HIS terms. A role model. We all owe a death. How you live is up to you. How you die is also up to you. Vaya con Dios indeed.

 

[kayak-man]

I get the whole "life over principals" thing - I'm not above dirty, underhanded tricks to make sure I get to eat another slice of birthday cake. At the same time, I know that only about 5% of people get a fast, quiet death in thier sleep. The odds say that when I've got to go, its not going to be pretty.

If its the choice between dying today, and dying for my beliefs, in a relatively quick (1 or two days) fashion, or dying after a couple of years filled with my mind going and everything hurting, in a long, drawn out, undignified way, well, I don't see that as being much of a choice.

Vaya con dios y el spirit de santo, meastro

 

[Crusader103]

Or, it is just as likely that the bad guys will be inflamed, more brutal, take fewer chances, and bring more guys to the next job.

I agree. In the face of adversity or overwhelming odds we should all turn tail and run. Let me be the first to lay down my guns.

Ok, maybe not.

 

[1stmarine]

He didn't even ask for help from his workers as he wanted to spare their families from possible tragedy. I am pretty sure his workers will never forget that. Many folks would run away but he didn't. He died to defend freedom so others could enjoy it like many good soldiers would do.
This is a war whether we like it or not and Mr. Alejo died with his boots on so everyone show some respect or move to another post.