Commando Breaks Into Cockfighting Arena: 4 Dead, 25 Wounded

Photo: Roberto Salazar Vargas/Ensenada.net

Translated by Valor for Borderland Beat

On Saturday night, an armed commando burst into a cockfighting arena in Ensenada and shot at attendees, leaving 25 wounded and four dead, among them, two minors.  The assailants fled aboard two vehicles and left three grenades in the parking lot, which caused panic amongst the attendees.

According to the Baja California district attorney’s office, an armed commando broke into an arena in Ensenada, Baja California, and opened fire on those attending a cockfight that left four dead and 25 wounded, including two minors.

On Saturday night, an armed and masked group entered “Palenque Póker” searching for, according to preliminary research evidence, a man known as “El Chino”, with the intention of killing him.

 

Photo: Zeta

According to local media, the incident occurred on Saturday night on the highway Transpeninsular between Estancia and Delante Boulevard, just south of Ensenada.

At the time it took place, the cockfight had a total of 500 spectators, of which several were injured.

As a result of the shooting, four people were killed, among them two minors: a 16 year old and an 11 year old, according to officials.

The District Attorney’s Office of Baja California launched a preliminary investigation into the violent events that occurred.

Local media said that the attackers placed grenades in various parking spots that caused panic among the attendees.

Forensic specialists found several shell casings and a smoke grenade that was deactivated by the Mexican Army.

According to early reports, the attackers fled in two vehicles, which were later abandoned nearby.

The area was guarded by the ministerial and federal police, as well as the army.  The injured were taken to nearby hospitals.

After the incident, the authorities proceeded to close the site, as well as the parking lot.

 

Photo: Zeta

The magazine Zeta states that the deceased were identified as: Carlos Verdugo Rodríguez, 34, who died at the clinic #8 of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS); Alexis Omar Pérez Pucheta, 16, who died in Hospital General; Ángel Iñiguez, 22, who died in Hospital General; Ángel Osvaldo Pérez Camacho, 11, who also died in Hospital General.

Simultaneously, another incident occurred in the city of Ensenada.  A man shot several times at a convenience store, located in Ex Ejido Chapultepec, without any dead or injured reported.

The attacker managed to escape and provoked a strong police mobilization.

Source: Sin Embargo

Categories: baja california, Drug War, mexico