Juan Luis Lagunas was a 17-year-old social media star dubbed ‘El Pirata de Culiacán’ which translates to “The Pirate From Culiacan.” Despite being underage, ‘El Pirata’ loved to party, becoming a viral sensation after videos of him binging large quantities of alcohol spread throughout the internet.
Leaving his dysfunctional family at age 14, he began producing excentric videos, showcasing a life of luxury, weapons and alcoholic drinks, alongside local artists. The effect alcohol had on him made people laugh, and a series of famous Norteño-style music groups began to contact him.
They would invite ‘El Pirata de Culiacan’ over to party and appear in music videos. Any video with Lagunas in it would immediately accumulate a massive social media presence.
The young star got hired to make an appearance at a bar in Jalisco and uploaded a Facebook video carelessly chatting away with friends. Before midnight hit, five armed subjects traveling on board a black van went to the bar ‘El Pirata’ was at and opened fire.
They shot him at least 15 times, and the bar owner got severely injured, as well. Days before his fatal shooting, Lagunas published a video threatening druglord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as ‘El Mencho.’
Mencho is the leader of the New Generation Jalisco drug cartel, and one of the most sought-after drug dealers in both Mexico and the United States. Reports claim the shooters left a sign that stated it was retaliation for threatening ‘El Mancho’ online.
This article was inspired by Reforma // Ejecutan a ‘El Pirata de Culiacán’