An American singer who appeared on the Mexican version of The Voice in 2011 was shot and critically wounded in an ambush shortly after celebrating his birthday with friends.

Friends say 45-year-old Alejandro 'Jano' Fuentes was shot three times in the head late Thursday outside his Tras Bambalinas School on Chicago's southwest side.

The Voice singer Alejandro 'Jano' Fuentes was shot and killed. Credit:Facebook

Fuentes was celebrating his birthday there when he got into his car with friends and an armed man suddenly ordered Fuentes out of that vehicle and shot him.