Nineteen dead, more injured at cockfighting pit shooting in Las Tinajas
On March 27, Central Mexico’s State Attorney General’s Office in the State of Michoacán opened an investigation after announcing that gunmen attacked and killed 19 people and injured several others in the town of Las Tinajas, which is in the municipality of Zinapécuaro.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, the Prosecutor’s Office was informed of the attack perpetrated against those attending a cockfighting arena that was being held in that town. Reportedly, an armed group raided the cockfight and began shooting at those in attendance.
Mexican authorities immediately dispatched personnel from the Crime Scene and Expert Services Unit (USPEC) to the scene, where those 19 lifeless bodies were discovered. Sixteen of the fatalities were men and three were women. They all died from gunshot wounds.
The State Attorney General’s Office also reported that those others injured in the shootings had been transported to local hospitals. Michoacan’s Secretary of Public Security tweeted that his government is working “with the aim of capturing those responsible for the violent acts.”
Although authorities did not share a motive for the killings, CBS News reports that Michoacan and neighboring Guanajuato are two of Mexico’s most violent states, “due to turf wars between rival gangs involved in drug trafficking and other illegal activities — including trade in stolen fuel.”
Earlier this month, gunmen killed the mayor of a town in Michoacan. Aguililla Mayor Cesar Valencia was shot dead by unknown attackers while traveling in a city hall vehicle near a soccer field in the town, officials said. ~ CBS
Reuters reported that the general area of the shootings in Las Tinajas in the state of Michoacan is the same location where, “the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has been fighting local gangs for control of drug routes.”
(Source: Michoacán State Attorney General’s Office)
Also see:
Harford County cockfighting operation dismantled, 209 birds rescued
Seventeen Kentuckians looking at jail time for illegal animal fighting ventures
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
