In a shocking case that has rattled Baja California, three teenagers—two of them from the United States—have been arrested for the murder of Flaviano López Martínez, a 50-year-old retired military man who worked as a DiDi driver in Mexicali. The crime, which authorities say was recorded by the perpetrators themselves, involved extreme violence that has sparked outrage and calls for justice.

Flaviano was reported missing on Thursday, July 9, after accepting a DiDi ride request from a 16-year-old girl. She, along with her 15-year-old brother and a 13-year-old friend, allegedly lured him to transport them from Villa Verde to the Satélite neighborhood, where they planned to meet other youths. During the trip, the teenagers reportedly shot Flaviano in the head, stripped his body, and set it on fire near Villas del Colorado. The chilling details were shared by María Elena Andrade Ramírez, head of the Baja California State Prosecutor’s Office, who described the act as not only murder but also a profound humiliation of the victim’s remains.

What makes this case even more disturbing is that the teens filmed the entire crime on their phones, laughing and mocking the situation as they desecrated Flaviano’s body. After the murder, they took his vehicle and were later found casually driving it around a neighborhood, with bloodstains still visible inside.

The three minors face charges including qualified homicide with premeditation, vehicle theft, and offenses related to the handling of human remains. Despite the gravity of the crime, Mexican law limits their potential sentences to between three and five years due to their age.

The brutal killing has sparked protests among DiDi drivers in Mexicali, who gathered outside the state prosecutor’s office demanding better protection and justice for their colleague. They also called for the teenagers to be tried as adults, arguing that the current juvenile sentencing does not reflect the severity of the crime.

This tragic event highlights ongoing concerns about safety for gig economy workers like ride-share drivers, who often face risks with limited safeguards. As Mexicali mourns Flaviano’s death, the community and authorities are under pressure to rethink how to protect vulnerable workers and ensure justice is served.