SONORA, MEXICO – An American citizen was fatally shot in the northern Mexican state of Sonora, and one of the alleged attackers has been identified as a former member of Honduras’ presidential guard. Authorities believe the attack is linked to organized crime.
Nicholas Quets, a resident of Arizona, was traveling near the towns of Altar and Caborca on October 18 when the incident occurred. Reports suggest Quets, who was en route to the Puerto Peñasco beach resort, may have encountered a drug cartel checkpoint. He was later shot near a gas station.
Quets was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. According to his family, he was remembered for his protective nature and strong social connections. His father, Doug, described him as someone cherished by many and said his absence would leave a lasting void.
Sonora’s state prosecutors confirmed that the Honduran suspect and an accomplice were “neutralized” in Altar after an altercation with security personnel. The term usually indicates that the suspects were killed during the confrontation. Social media platforms displayed footage released by the prosecutor’s office showing the individuals involved.
Investigations revealed that the Honduran man had been wanted for abandoning his post in Honduras’ presidential honor guard. Drug cartels in Mexico are known to enlist ex-military personnel from other countries. The suspect now faces charges related to weapons and drugs following his arrest at the scene.
Two additional suspects have been detained in connection with the murder. One of them is allegedly affiliated with “Delta,” a gang linked to the Chapitos faction of the Sinaloa drug cartel.
Quets’ family, deeply affected by the tragedy, shared that he had previously served in various international deployments, including regions in Southeast Asia and Australia. They have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to fund a memorial scholarship in his name to keep his legacy alive.