Rudy Lazo: 'Very generous' California man, 79, killed after robbery went wrong while delivering donations to poor
SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA: A 79-year-old California man with a huge heart was savagely battered to death in Tijuana, Mexico while bringing donations to underprivileged families, his family had said. Rudy Lazo was found dead in Mexico on April 19 and was apparently killed after a robbery went wrong.
His son Juan Carlos went to Mexico to find his body. He said that his father was beaten to death. "He was always a very generous person, helped anyone out," Carlos told NBC4.
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Rudy would travel to Mexico to give food to the needy
Rudy would frequently travel three hours from his home in San Bernadino to Tijuana to provide food, clothing, toys, and other supplies to individuals in need, according to his relatives. Juan Carlos suspects he was murdered during a heist. Rudy's truck and personal belongings were never discovered. According to his relatives, no arrests have been made by Mexican police.
His family said despite the dangers, he felt safe due to being a senior citizen and probably due to the work he was doing. "It is very dangerous over there. So dangerous and he probably thought he wasn’t going to have problems because he is a senior citizen," said Claudia Hernandez, Lazo's daughter. Rudy was a truck driver when he emigrated to the United States from El Salvador in the 1980's. His family describes him as having a large heart and a willingness to help those in need. He even intended to construct a community center in Tijuana.
'He didn’t deserve it'
Rudy's family got anxious when he became unreachable via phone on April 18. The next day, Mexican police informed his family that his remains had been discovered.
Juan Carlos drove from San Bernadino to Tijuana, 125 miles, to identify his father's remains. He said his father was severely beaten to death and that he was slain during a heist. "He didn’t deserve it. Actually no, no human being deserves this," Carlos said.
His death comes as the US has issued broad warnings to Americans against traveling to Mexico, including Baja California. “Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico,” the State Department warned in February.
“The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by US government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.”