Mexico: At Least 3 Wounded After Gunmen Attack Vehicles Crossing From US
In an alarming incident, a convoy of vehicles crossing into Mexico from the United States was attacked by gunmen in the early hours of Saturday. At least three individuals sustained gunshot wounds, according to Mexican authorities, AP reports.
The attack unfolded on the international bridge that links the town of Miguel Aleman in Mexico with Roma, Texas, on the US side, as the Tamaulipas State Security Department reported.
As the convoy entered the US-Mexico border via Miguel Aleman from Texas, it was suddenly targeted by assailants riding in an improvised armored truck, a type frequently associated with criminal cartels.
Gunfire erupted, creating a perilous situation for those involved. The attackers swiftly fled the scene.
Initially, the security department had reported nine individuals injured, but subsequent updates clarified that three had suffered gunshot wounds while the remaining six were dealing with panic attacks stemming from the traumatic incident.
A state official, who spoke anonymously due to a lack of authorization to speak publicly, disclosed that Mexican nationals and Mexican Americans were among the injured.
Following the attack, the injured people were transported to the international bridge and handed over to US authorities, as confirmed by Jorge Cuéllar, the Tamaulipas state security spokesman.
READ NEXT: Mexico: US Consulate Issues 'Shelter' Warning After Shootout with Marines
Four Americans Are Among the Group
The caravan involved in the recent attack consisted of a total of 20 individuals, as reported by the INM (National Migration Institute), with 16 of them being Mexican nationals and the remaining four being American citizens traveling in two separate trucks and that the caravan had initiated its journey in the United States.
Among the injured are a woman who sustained two gunshot wounds to her back. A 62-year-old man was shot in the leg, while a 70-year-old man had his finger struck by a bullet, Reuters noted.
Of the four US citizens in the caravan, three hailed from Dallas, while one came from Atlanta. The group comprised two adults, aged 23 and 21, and two minors, one 14 years old and the other a 19-month-old child.
None of the American citizens were injured during the Mexico gunmen attack, according to information provided by the INM.
A US government official informed Reuters that at approximately 5:30 on Saturday morning, US.
Customs and Border Protection officials at the Roma Port of Entry processed seven individuals caught in the crossfire during the caravan attack.
This group included American citizens, lawful US permanent residents, and one Mexican citizen. Mexican ambulances transported them to local hospitals for necessary medical treatment.
Victims Are Traveling to Mexico To Seek Medical Attention
Border Patrol agents confirmed that the victims of the recent attack crossed into Texas to receive necessary medical attention. However, they did not disclose specific details regarding the conditions of the injured individuals, KHOU said.
On the Mexican side, the government has pledged to continue investigating the shooting incident, emphasizing its commitment to comprehensively addressing the matter.
In response to the security challenges at the US-Mexico border, federal authorities in Tamaulipas have deployed hundreds of soldiers to reinforce security patrols in border cities.
This move aims to enhance safety measures and provide a sense of security to residents and travelers in the region.
The incident adds to a series of security concerns along the border. In July, the discovery of at least 27 bodies in Reynosa, situated directly across from the Texas town of Hidalgo, highlighted the ongoing security challenges US-Mexico border communities face.
Similarly, in June, the bodies of at least eight young workers were found in Mexico after officials revealed they had attempted to resign from their jobs at a call center believed to be operated by a violent drug cartel.
Authorities explained that these workers were involved in a real estate scam targeting Americans.
Meanwhile, four Americans were abducted by Mexico gunmen in Matamoros in March, resulting in the death of two individuals.
The group had traveled together from South Carolina, with one of them seeking a medical procedure -a tummy tuck- from a local doctor.
READ MORE: Over 2,000 Migrants Kidnapped by Mexican Drug Cartels Last Year
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: US citizens among 7 injured in Mexico shooting, officials say - From ABC7
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!