Last weekend tragedy struck a Colombian family on vacation in Mexico, along with their Mexican driver. They were in a Toyota Avanza van on federal highway 45, in the state of Zacatecas, when they were victims of an armed attack by alleged criminals, who, in the first instance, allegedly tried to rob them.
The Zacatecas Attorney General’s Office confirmed that this tragic event resulted in four people dead and four wounded, one in serious condition. The driver of the vehicle tried to escape when he noticed the presence of the thugs, but they opened fire with long guns.
The fatalities were:
- A 40-year-old man (Colombian).
- A 51-year-old woman (Colombian).
- A 38-year-old man (Mexican).
- A 28-year-old man (Mexican).
The injured are:
- A 10-year-old minor (Colombian).
- A 4-year-old minor (Colombian).
- A 31-year-old woman (Colombian).
- A 32-year-old man (Colombian).
The attack occurred in the community of Sierra Vieja, in the municipality of Villa de Cos. This area has been the scene of several violent incidents in recent days, including the robbery of three tractor-trailers that were subsequently set on fire. It is believed that the same criminals could be behind both incidents.
Motorists driving on Federal Highway 45 were crucial for the authorities to reach the scene of the armed attack. Upon noticing the assaulted unit, these citizens immediately reported the incident through the 911 emergency response system.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they found that eight people had been hit by bullets, four of whom had been killed instantly. Rescuers determined that two more people still had vital signs but were critically wounded. The other two wounded were rushed to a nearby hospital for specialized medical attention.
Two girls also reportedly asked for help.
In addition to the motorists who alerted the authorities through the emergency telephone system, two girls who were shot and wounded reportedly asked the police for help after the attack. These girls got out of the vehicle and walked along the roadside until they reached the checkpoint of the Regional Security Unit of the state preventive police.
The officers at the checkpoint provided medical attention to the injured girls and quickly mobilized to the attack scene to assist the other victims. The presence of these injured girls at the scene of the attack highlights the level of violence and the seriousness of the situation in some areas of Mexico.
The Zacatecas Attorney General’s Office reported that in addition to identifying the people who lost their lives and were injured in this armed attack, communication was established with the Colombian consulate in Guadalajara, Jalisco, to report the facts and provide support to the families of the victims.