Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — UPDATED: An American man was taken to hospital Saturday afternoon after being shot several times inside a Playa del Carmen bar. The targeted attack took place around 4:30 p.m. inside the centrally located sports betting club along Fifth Avenue.
Early reports say the man was shot the moment he walked into the the Fifth Avenue bar. His assailant(s) then fled. The shooting victim has been identified as 38-year-old Kevin N from Texas.
It is not clear if Kevin N is a visitor or area resident. He was transported to hospital by ambulance with several bullet wounds to his shoulder, chest, head and hand. Police began a search operation for the shooter(s), arresting at least one man. An arrest was made from inside a nearby hotel where the shooter was allegedly hiding.
The one known detained male is a heavily tattooed man of approximately the same age. He has not been publicly identified. The bar’s manager and one waiter were also taken into police custody. It is not clear if they were involved or detained for witness statements.
The area was under tight security by elements of the National Guard while police investigated. The shooting victim is reported to be in serious condition. He was located inside the bathroom of the bar. The bar has since been sealed off by municipal authorities.
UPDATE: Local authorities have reported the detainment of two youths aged 16 and 22. They were taken into police custody after they were seen running from the bar after gunfire was heard. Police were successful in locating and following the pair onto the rooftop of a nearby hotel where they were eventually arrested.
In a briefing, the Solidaridad Seguridad Pública (SSP) reported the arrests of 16-year-old Jesús “N” from Veracruz and 22-year-old Fernando “N” from Chiapas. During their arrests, the SSP says a firearm was found on Jesús “N”. Both were arrested for attempted homicide.
