Following a gunfight with Mexican law enforcement in Soledad de Doblado, Veracruz on 3 November 2009, Arellano Domínguez died from gunshot wound complications.

Los Zetas is a criminal organization that was formed in the late 1990s and early 2000s by soldiers who left the Mexican military to work as the muscle of the Gulf Cartel.

[6] According to the testimony of 14 protected witnesses, Arellano Domínguez is alleged to have maintained some kind of business relationship with former Veracruz Governor Fidel Herrera Beltrán.

[9] Infantry soldiers of the Mexican Navy engaged in a shootout with gunmen of Los Zetas in Soledad de Doblado, Veracruz on 3 November 2009, where Arellano Domínguez was critically wounded.

[12][13] Prior to his death, he was regarded by the Office of the General Prosecutor (PGR) as one of the most-wanted Mexican criminals and a top Zeta leader.

[13] Two days after his death, organized crime members killed Casto Acevedo Manzano, a former Mexican Army major and delegate of Public Security in Veracruz.