Monterrey, Nuevo León: 6 Police Officers Killed By Cartel

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

Video translation is as follows:

Female Narrator: The bodega where an armed group of 10 gunmen arrived in five vehicles to shoot at partygoers at a party in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Monterrey was frequented by police and ministerial agents, investigators said. On Thursday night, the gunmen mercilessly arrived at the business located on the corner of Hererros and Tamazunchale to fire their assault rifles into a crowd estimated to be between 30 to 40 people.

Female Witness: It lasted a while, we were here, the windows rattled. And they say that the attack took place from this city block to the next block. It's like they were hit head on while they were having a party there.

Male Reporter: Were there many people there?

Female Witness: Quite a few, including a group.

Male Reporter: So, they had a musical band?

Female Witness: Yes.

Male Reporter: Was everyone inside the warehouse?

Female Witness: No. Some were inside and others outside, some were inside and others outside. Two of the deceased fell over there by the heavy goods vehicle. You know how there’s an OXXO convenience store there? 

Male Reporter: Yes. 

Female Witness: Well, they died right there. 

Female Narrator: As of last night there were 6 people dead and 7 injured. Three of them were reported to be in serious condition. The gunmen arrived in 5 vehicles and blocked a few streets to prevent partygoers from escaping. According to sources, they overpowered the victims inside the bodega and opened fire.

Female Witness: There was more security present there than here on this block. We were angry because they were committing a lot of robberies here and they always had like two patrol cars outside.

Female Narrator: Omar Ortiz Alvarado, former Santa Catarina police chief, was killed in the attack. Last night authorities reported that of the injured, only two had been unofficially identified. Alberto Rojas Tovar, 49, and Ruben Saenz Treviño, 43. The source said that among the dead could be an alleged criminal leader.

Female Witness: It sounded ugly, it lasted more or less... It seems like they were chasing each other. But they say the victims also returned fire.

Male Reporter: Could it have lasted around 10 minutes?

Female Witness: Yes. Give or take 15 minutes. Because we went to the back and they were still shooting. And we said amongst ourselves hey those are high-powered weapons. 

Female Narrator: The Attorney General's Office found in its investigations and files that the business, a warehouse used for the purchase and sale of used vehicles, has a criminal past. The property was searched on June 9, 2007 for its connection to abductions, narco messages, and other crimes. The property, according to neighbors, was frequented by commanders of the State Investigations Agency (Agencia Estatal de Investigaciones). The gunmen fired more than 50 rounds and the shooting lasted between 10 and 15 minutes. Three of the bodies were found by paramedics inside the bodega. Three others were found outside near a park.

Grupo Reforma