Gunmen Open Fire, Killing 10 at Bar in Mexico Shooting

Photo : Reuters

In a shocking act of violence, gunmen opened fire in a bar in downtown Queretaro, the capital of the central Mexican state of the same name, late on Saturday, killing 10 people. According to local authorities, four assailants entered the establishment, targeting patrons and shooting indiscriminately. The victims included seven men and three women, while another seven people sustained injuries during the attack. One suspect has been taken into police custody, and investigators are probing a vehicle believed to be connected to the incident.

Queretaro, which has generally been regarded as a relatively safe city compared to other parts of Mexico, has witnessed a rare outburst of violence. The bar shooting adds to a disturbing wave of criminal activity that has been spreading across the country, particularly due to the ongoing conflict between drug cartels and organized crime groups.

Local officials, including the state attorney general and Queretaro's security chief, have confirmed the grim toll, and authorities have vowed to take swift action. Queretaro Governor Mauricio Kuri expressed his outrage over the attack on social media, stating, “I reiterate to the people of Queretaro that there will be punishment for those responsible for this brutal act. We will continue to seal our borders and maintain the security of our state.”

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Despite Queretaro's reputation for being one of the more peaceful areas in Mexico, the country has seen a sharp increase in violent crimes linked to drug trafficking and organized criminal activity. This surge in violence has become a major concern for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who took office in October 2024. Since her inauguration, there have been over 2,700 homicides across the country, according to data analyzed by pollster TResearch.

Sheinbaum, facing immense pressure, has vowed to combat this violence by ramping up security measures. Her government has outlined a new security plan, which includes enhancing intelligence-sharing between various government agencies, targeting organized crime networks, and providing more opportunities for at-risk youth to reduce their involvement in criminal activity. Additionally, the National Guard will receive increased support as part of the broader efforts to bring stability to the country and curb the growing influence of criminal organizations.