Gunmen opened fire during a religious celebration in central Mexico on Tuesday night, killing 11 people and injuring at least 20 others. The shooting happened in Irapuato, a city in Guanajuato state, during festivities for the Nativity of John the Baptist.
After the attack, bloodstains and bullet holes marked the scene. A video shared online captured the moment shots rang out. People were dancing and celebrating when the gunfire caused panic and chaos.
11 dead including children and 12 injured in a shooting at a party in the city of Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. This incident has been tied to a war in the area between local cartel Cartel Santa Rosa De Lima and mega cartel CJNG
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Eyewitness Describes Panic After the Attack
“It was chaos. People put the injured in their cars and rushed them to the hospital,” one witness told AFP. The person did not share their name due to safety concerns.
The state prosecutor’s office confirmed that 11 people died. Among the victims were a 17-year-old, two women, and eight men. The office assured the public that it would deliver justice for those killed.
Authorities Respond to the Shooting
Local officials said that security forces were actively searching for the attackers. They also announced that psychological help was being given to victims and their families.
President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the violence. She called the attack “deplorable” during her daily press conference. She described the shooting as a “confrontation” but did not give more details. An official investigation is now underway.
Guanajuato Governor Libia Dennise also spoke out. She strongly condemned the violence and expressed sympathy for the victims' families.
Gang Violence in Guanajuato
Although Guanajuato is known for its industry and tourism, it is also one of the most violent states in Mexico. The state suffers from frequent gang-related violence.
Two criminal groups, the Santa Rosa de Lima gang and the Jalisco New Generation cartel, are mainly responsible for the conflict in the region.
Official records show that Guanajuato had over 3,000 murders last year, the highest in Mexico. Across the country, around 480,000 people have died and over 120,000 are missing since 2006. Most of these cases are linked to drug cartels and organized crime.