Ernesto Barajas, co-founder and singer/songwriter for the regional Mexican band Enigma Norteño, has died, according to multiple media reports. He was 38.

The singer and bassist was fatally shot in western Mexico on Tuesday, Aug. 19, The Associated Press and newspaper El Universal reported, citing the Jalisco Attorney General's Office. The incident took place in Zapopan, located on the outskirts of Jalisco's capital, Guadalajara.

USA TODAY has reached out to the prosecutor's office for more information.

Barajas' management company, Talento Líder, confirmed the news to Billboard Español.

His management also paid tribute to the musician in an Aug. 19 Instagram story that read, "Rest in peace, Ernesto Barajas. Your Talento Líder family will always be proud of you and remember you as the great artist and human being that you were. May God bless you."

Barajas founded Enigma Norteño alongside Humberto Pérez in 2004 in Culiacán, the capital of their home state of Sinaloa. Some of their most streamed songs include "El Deportivo," a collaboration with Billboard Music Awards winners Fuerza Regida, and "Hagnase A Un Lado."

The group is known for narcocorridos – a genre that often glorifies drug cartels – with one of their tracks, "El Chapo Guzmán," directly referencing the infamous former Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquín Guzmán.

The band released its most recent album, "Atención Al Cliente," in November 2024. On Aug. 14, they debuted "Hello Kitty," a collaboration with fellow Sinaloa musician Edgardo Nuñez.

In addition to his musical work, Barajas also hosted the podcast "Puntos de Vista con Ernesto Barajas."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ernesto Barajas, founder of Mexican band Enigma Norteño, dies at 38: Reports

Reporting by KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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