( CNN ) -- A leader of the Gulf drug cartel -- Antonio Ezequiel Cardenas Guillen , also known as `` Tony the Storm '' -- died during a clash with security forces in the border city of Matamoros , Alejandro Poire , security spokesman for the Mexican government , said Friday . Three other suspected criminals and two members of the Mexican navy also died in the fighting , he said . The Gulf cartel is one of Mexico 's major drug-trafficking organizations . It is based in Matamoros , which is across the border from Brownsville , Texas . `` Today was another significant step in the destruction of criminal organizations that have done so much to damage the people of this country , '' Poire said . The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College canceled classes through Saturday and said it would rework several weekend events `` because of gunfire taking place across the Rio Grande . '' Most of the students and faculty members have gone home , said Letty Fernandez , a university spokeswoman . The campus is about half a mile from the U.S.-Mexico border . Sgt . Reynaldo Trevino , with the university police , said he was working at a soccer game when he heard gunfire break out . He said the gunshots sounded so close it was `` like we were there . '' More than 28,000 people have died in drug-related violence since Mexican President Felipe Calderon intensified the government 's fight against cartels and organized crime after taking office in 2006 , according to government figures . Authorities have scored a string of important wins against drug cartels recently . In September , officials arrested Sergio Villarreal , known to Mexican officials as `` El Grande , '' an alleged top leader of the Beltran Leyva cartel . His capture came soon after the August arrest of American-born `` La Barbie , '' or Edgar Valdez , thought to be one of Mexico 's most ruthless drug traffickers . CNN 's Janet DiGiacomo contributed to this report .
NEW : Three other suspected criminals and 2 members of the navy also die in the clash . Antonio Ezequiel Cardenas Guillen dies in the Mexican city of Matamoros . Gunfire is heard across the border at a U.S. university . The school cancels classes .