Gunmen who were disguised as clowns at a children's party shot the eldest brother of the once powerful Arellano Felix drug cartel family of Mexico, officials confirmed on Saturday, Oct. 19, Agence France-Presse reported.

Francisco Rafael Arellano Felix, 63, was shot dead at a family event on Friday, Oct. 18, in Cabo San Lucas, Isai Arias, state special investigations prosecutor told the media.

"He was hit by two bullets, one in the thorax and one in the head," Arias said.

Arias added that the relatives of Felix identified his body and that there were no arrests made in the case.

The Arellano Felix brothers once controlled the drug trafficking between Mexico and California between 1990 and 2000 but most of them have either been killed or arrested. This left the cartel to crumble.

Francisco Rafael's nickname was "El Menso" (The Dummy). He has a long history of getting arrested and spending time behind bars. He was arrested in 1980 for allegeddly selling drugs but was released on bail. In 1993, he was again arrested and went to prison for the same charges. In 2006, he was extradited to the United States after his confession to an undercover agent. In 2008, he was released early due to good behavior.

Authorities have said that the murder of Francisco Rafael is most likely "due to unpaid old debts, and old retributions" from the time that their family was powerful, said Raul Benitez a drug trade expert.

Benitez added that it was doubtful that the former drug lord was back in the drug business again.

The Tijuana Cartel "has been completely dismantled, with all of its leaders in prison either in the United States or in Mexico," Benitez said.