Tulum, Q.R. — UPDATED: The Attorney General’s Office (FGE) has confirmed the death of two tourists who were shot Wednesday night while inside a Tulum restaurant. The FGE reports that the shooting was between criminal groups.
Two people, foreign tourists, were killed and three others, also foreign tourists, were injured. The three injured were taken to hospital. Their condition remains unknown.
The agency also reported the arrest of one person believed to be involved in the shooting since he was also hospitalized.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the “first investigations establish that, as a result of a confrontation between members of criminal cells dedicated to drug dealing, on the night of Wednesday, October 20, the five people who were inside a restaurant were injured during the confrontation between the two criminal groups.
“Immediately, paramedics and rescuers went to the place located on Centauro Street in the downtown area of Tulum to provide first aid to the injured and transfer them to a hospital for medical attention. A person of foreign origin lost their life in the place and later, one more died in the hospital,” they reported in a statement.
The Prosecutor’s Office added that “immediately after the event was reported, security protocols were activated and with the C5 technology, it was possible to locate one of the aggressors who was also injured and hospitalized.”
The FGE said that communication is being established with consular representatives of the victims through the Office of Victim Assistance Directorate of the Prosecutor’s Office.
The restaurant has been seized while police investigate.
In response to the shooting, Tulum mayor Marciano Dzul Caamal posted “I strongly condemn the tragic events that occurred last night in #Tulum in which two people lost their lives and three others were injured.
“I report that I have instructed the Municipal Police to collaborate in the investigation of this unfortunate event which is already being investigated by the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Quintana Roo.
“To Tulumnenses and visitors, I reiterate: security is my priority, with the coordination of the three levels of government, we will recover the peace we deserve.”
UPDATE: Those involved in the shooting have been identified. The deceased include two foreign tourists, 25-year-old Angeli N from India and 26-year-old Gandaf N from Germany.
The wounded are 21-year-old Evan der Kooij N from the Netherlands, a man identified as 24-year-old José Antonio Lira N and a 35-year-old woman, Jennifer N from India. There has been no update on the status of their health.