Ernesto Barajas, the 38-year-old lead singer and founder of Mexican regional music group Enigma Norteño, was fatally shot on Tuesday, August 19, in a parking lot in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. The attack occurred around 1 p.m. local time when two men on a motorcycle opened fire on Barajas and his companions.
According to the Jalisco State Prosecutor’s Office, which has opened an investigation into the incident, another man was killed in the attack and a woman was injured in the leg. The gunmen fled the scene on their motorcycle immediately after the shooting.
Barajas’ management company, Talento Líder, confirmed his death and paid tribute to the musician. The company stated that Barajas would be remembered as a great artist and human being, expressing that God would hold him in holy love.
Born on September 16, 1986, in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Barajas founded Enigma Norteño in 2004 alongside Humberto Pérez when he was just 18 years old. The band rose to prominence in the narcocorrido genre, a controversial subgenre of regional Mexican music that often portrays drug cartel figures and their activities. The group has accumulated more than four million monthly listeners on Spotify.
The band’s repertoire included songs dedicated to prominent figures in organized crime, including tracks titled “Los Chapitos,” referencing the sons of notorious drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and songs celebrating leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel. Their popular tracks include “El Deportivo,” “Mayito Gordo,” “Los Lujos del R,” and “El Chapo Guzmán.”
Barajas had reportedly received death threats from criminal organizations prior to his murder. In 2023, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel allegedly issued threats against him through a narcomanta, a cloth banner message, which appeared before a scheduled performance in Rosarito, Baja California. The threat led to the cancellation of his show on authorities’ recommendation. The message criticized his alleged relationship with Alfonso “El Aquiles” and René “La Rana” Arzate García, identified as operators of the Sinaloa Cartel.
Due to safety concerns, Barajas had reportedly moved from his native Culiacán to Guadalajara, where he lived a more discreet life. Mexican media sources indicated he had been living under threats from organized crime groups, which may have motivated his relocation.
In interviews, Barajas discussed the business aspects of his music, revealing that he charged significant amounts for commissioned narcocorridos. He told a Spanish-language publication in 2022 that he charged $25,000 per song, though he later indicated in a 2025 interview that this figure had risen to $60,000. He explained that songs were often requested through intermediaries and required approval before recording and distribution.
Barajas defended his music in public appearances, arguing in a May 2025 interview that “a song, a corrido, has nothing to do with what is happening in Mexico.” He described challenges faced by narcocorrido performers due to restrictions in various Mexican states, noting that audiences would often sing the prohibited songs themselves when artists were banned from performing them.
Beyond his musical career, Barajas hosted a podcast called “Puntos de Vista con Ernesto Barajas,” featuring interviews with prominent figures in regional Mexican music. His final podcast episode was published on August 13, just six days before his death. The band released their most recent collaboration, “Hello Kitty” with musician Edgardo Nuñez, on August 15.
Enigma Norteño celebrated its twentieth anniversary in 2024 with a commemorative album featuring collaborations with stars including Gabito Ballesteros, Carín León, and members of Fuerza Regida. The band’s success extended to the United States, where their songs gained significant radio airplay and developed a loyal following.
The murder occurs amid ongoing violence affecting performers in the narcocorrido genre. In May 2025, five members of the musical group Fugitivo were found murdered in Tamaulipas state after their families reported receiving ransom demands. Several Mexican states have implemented bans on narcocorrido performances at public events, citing concerns that the music glorifies crime and contributes to violent culture.
The Trump administration has taken action against artists in the genre, revoking visas for multiple performers and sanctioning musicians over alleged connections to drug trafficking organizations. These measures have affected prominent groups including Grupo Firme and Alegres de Barranco.
Barajas is survived by his wife Alexis Sillas and their two children. The incident took place at a long-term vehicle storage facility in the Arenales Tapatíos neighborhood of Zapopan, where vehicles can be stored for extended periods. Authorities continue investigating the attack, with preliminary information suggesting it may have been related to organized crime activities.
