Chicago's First Secretary to the Consul General of Mexico was found shot to death in the Mexican state of Guerrero over the weekend.
Jaime Almonte Borja, 42, was reportedly driving on the road to his hometown of el Naranjo on New Year's Eve when he was ambushed and shot by bandits trying to steal his vehicle.
Borja is the brother of former Mexican Congressman Ramon Almonte Borja.
"The First Secretary Almonte was active in the Mexican foreign service. His colleagues will remember his human qualities and the commitment shown to the Mexican community in America," the Mexican government said in a statement.
Outside the Office of the Mexican Consulate, at 204 S. Ashland Ave., that country's flag flew at half-staff Monday.
"It's just tragic news, painful news for us," said Rev. Brandan Curran of St. Pius V, in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood.
Borja will be honored at a memorial mass at the church on Friday evening.
