- Title: Three dead after shooting attacks on government offices in Cancun
- Date: 18th January 2017
- Summary: CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO (JANUARY 17, 2017) (REUTERS) POLICE EVACUATING WORKERS FROM SUPERMARKET WORKERS PREPARING FOR EVACUATION GENERAL VIEW OF SUPERMARKET WORKERS EVACUATING SUPERMARKET VARIOUS OF POLICE OFFICER ESCORTING DETAINED MAN SHOE ON GROUND OUTSIDE SUPERMARKET PARAMEDICS ON DUTY
- Embargoed: 1st February 2017 02:51
- Keywords: Cancun Mexico shooting BPM Play del Carmen
- Location: CANCUN AND CHETUMAL, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO
- City: CANCUN AND CHETUMAL, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO
- Country: Timor-Leste
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime
- Reuters ID: LVA0015ZLW283
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
At least three people were killed after a gunman opened fire at government offices in the Mexican beach resort of Cancun, police said on Tuesday (January 17), a day after another shooter killed at least five people at a music festival in a nearby tourist spot.
Rodolfo del Angel Campos, chief of police for the state of Quintana Roo, said the gunfire broke out at the state attorney general's office in Cancun, a city that is one of the most popular seaside destinations for foreign tourists in Mexico.
A local supermarket was also evacuated.
Police stepped in to tackle the threat and by the time order had been restored, a gunman and two workers at the office were dead, del Angel said. Some weapons were also found at the site.
"A code red was activated with the participation of federal, state and municipal authorities. We're talking about the army, marines, municipal police and the police ministry whose offices were affected. To the moment we have detained three people; one person has been identified as the culprit and is dead. There are two deaths from the prosecutors' office of the state. Weapons have been seized and the prosecutor will inform of up-to-date information and investigations as they advance," said Quintana Roo's Minister for Public Security, Rodolfo del Angel.
The motive for the shooting was unclear but Cancun Mayor Remberto Estrada urged calm.
"We deeply regret and condemn the incidents that occurred today. Incidents such as this damage all of society and we are working broadly with the federal and state government to re-establish public order. I call on all residents of Cancun to remain calm and wait for official communication from the municipal and state governments," said Estrada.
Lying on the Caribbean coast of eastern Mexico, Quintana Roo has suffered sporadic violence in the past few years as violent drug cartels battle for control of the lucrative local market.
A new Quintana Roo state government took office in September, and changes in power have been known to inflame turf wars between gangs as they fight for supremacy.
On Monday (January 16), at least five people were killed and 15 were wounded when a gunman opened fire in a nightclub at the music festival in the resort of Playa del Carmen. The shooting is not being investigated as a suspected terror attack. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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