CDS Los Salazar's El Zabe Suspected in Family Killing in San Luis Río, Sonora

"HEARST" for Borderland Beat

Twenty six year old Isabel, left, and five year old Alejandra, right.  

A family driving in San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, was gunned down by a group of armed men, killing a young mother and her 5-year-old daughter. Online articles all point to Sinaloa Cartel's Los Salazars as being behind the hit for unknown reasons.

The Shooting

On the afternoon of August 2, 2021, a family of three was traveling in their gray Jeep Gladiator pickup truck in the Progreso neighborhood, on the east side of San Luis Río Colorado city, Sonora. At approximately 4:10pm*, an unknown group of armed men opened fire out of their late model gray Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV, shooting towards the family's vehicle indiscriminately. The group of armed men then drove away in an unknown direction and managed to flee the area shortly after the shooting began.

Witnesses to the attack called the emergency services line to report what they had just seen. Within minutes police officers and paramedics arrived on scene. Inside the shot up Jeep Gladiator, they found 5 year old Alejandra bleeding from multiple gun shot wounds, one in the head. Her mother, 26 year old Isabel Alejandra was also found to be bleeding heavily as she had sustained multiple head wounds, located behind the left ear. Next to her, the driver, a 48 year old** male named Arturo was sitting, badly injured as well. 

Arturo and Alejandra were sent to be treated at a US hospital in San Luis, Arizona. The mother, Isabel Alejandra was sent to the local Mexican Social Security Institution (IMSS). At approximately 8:00pm, just a few hours later, Isabel died from her injuries while receiving treatment. 

After many hours of fighting for her life in the Arizona hospital, five year old Alejandra also died from her injuries. Arturo is reportedly still recovering from his injuries in the same hospital. Doctors report that his injuries are considered to be non life threatening. 

Young Alejandra's death was officially announced to the public by Isabel's sister Anna on social media. Anna wrote of her niece "You are with your mommy now, princess of my heart."

Isabel holding her daughter, Alejandra near the ocean. 

Ten .223 caliber casings were recovered at the crime scene. The motive for the attack is currently unclear. Arturo reportedly sells used cars on Avenida Libertad in San Luis Rio Colorado in Colonia Bureaucrat area.

The Theories

It is unknown if the hitmen intended to kill the whole family or if the two women were simply collateral damage in an attack intended for Arturo. It is also possible that the family was misidentified by the gunmen and the hit was not targeted at them.

Curiously, multiple online publications have published allegations that Los Salazar's Eduardo Molina Flores, alias "El Zabe" was behind the attack, but these publications do not cite any source or evidence supporting this claim.

There are a number of possible reasons why they could be making this allegations.

It could be because the Los Salazar's influence in the San Luis Rio Colorado area is so prominent that it would be unthinkable to consider another cartel was behind the hit. It is also possible that El Zabe is considered to specifically be in charge of the city.

It could be because the writers behind these articles are privy to some off the record knowledge about the crime that implicates El Zabe, such as an aspect of Arturo's identity that they legally cannot disclose at this time.

It could also be based on unfounded local rumor.

Regardless of the reason behind these allegations, until further details emerge it will be impossible to say why this attack happened and who was behind it. More information about this attack will hopefully emerge and updates will follow.

Sources: Tribuna Article 1, Tribuna Article 2 , Kyma, Tribuna de San Luis, La Opinion, Diario Eyipantla, Expreso, Opinion Sonora, El 5to-Poder, Mundo Hispanico

Please Note

* In Tribuna's first article they say the attack occurred at 4:10pm, in their second article they say it occurred around 3:30 pm. 

** In most publications Arturo is described as 48 years old but Opinion Sonora says he is 49 years old.