Gunmen attacked a soccer field in central Mexico, resulting in the deaths of 11 people and injuring 12 others. The Mayor of Salamanca, Cesar Prieto, mentioned that the gunmen arrived after a game ended. Ten individuals lost their lives at the scene, and one succumbed to injuries later in the hospital. Among the wounded were a woman and a child, as per the mayor’s statement.
Authorities from the Guanajuato state prosecutor’s office initiated an investigation and collaborated with federal agencies to enhance security in the region. Mayor Prieto highlighted the incident as part of a surge in criminal activities in the city and called upon President Claudia Sheinbaum for assistance in curbing violence. Guanajuato reported the highest number of homicides in Mexico last year, with conflicts between local gang Santa Rosa de Lima and the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
The mayor expressed determination against criminal groups attempting to overpower authorities, emphasizing the city’s contributions to Mexico’s industrial growth. The shooting occurred near Campos de las Cabañas pitches before 5:30 pm on a Sunday, prompting swift emergency services’ intervention. The injured were swiftly transported to various hospitals.
Reportedly, the attackers arrived in three vans, disregarding the presence of numerous children, and fired shots. Forensic teams discovered over 100 used cartridges at the scene. Authorities have yet to release the victims’ identities.
The Guanajuato Prosecutor’s Office condemned the incident, emphasizing the protection of life and societal harmony. They assured a thorough investigation focusing on the victims and their families’ access to justice.
This incident follows the murder of five men in Cuatro de Altamira and Uruétaro, with another man abducted the day before in Salamanca. Furthermore, human remains were found in four bags in San Antonio de Flores. Mexico’s government reported a decline in the murder rate to 17.5 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025, the lowest since 2016, though experts caution that these figures may not entirely reflect the country’s violence levels.