Ten people killed in early morning shooting in Mexican town

Ten people have been confirmed dead in an early-morning shooting in Tehuitzingo, a city in Mexico’s Puebla state. The victims include six men, three women, and one minor, whose names have not been released. According to initial reports, municipal police officers responded to a request for assistance from a citizen who observed people with apparent vital signs at a residence. Upon arrival, authorities found several individuals with gunshot wounds.

A woman died en route while being transported for medical attention. No arrests have been made as of mid-morning, and the motive behind the attack remains unclear. The state Attorney General’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident.

The shooting occurred around 1:55am local time, when neighbours reported hearing gunfire. Officials have pledged a multi-agency response to the attack, involving the National Guard, the state Attorney General’s Office, and local police, as well as intelligence and analysis efforts.

Tehuitzingo has a population of approximately 11,300 inhabitants, located roughly 208 kilometres south of Mexico City. The city is set to host several matches during the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in less than a month. Mexico’s government has taken steps to bolster security ahead of the event, including deploying 100,000 security personnel.

In recent months, high-profile acts of violence have raised concerns about safety in Mexico. In April, a gunman killed one Canadian tourist and injured 13 others at Teotihuacan, a UNESCO World Heritage site near Mexico City. The incident has sparked debate about the country’s ability to combat violent crime.

Source: Al Jazeera