Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — UPDATED: Evening shoppers along Fifth Avenue were seen running for cover Saturday when the sound of gunfire erupted. The sound of numerous detonations that sent people running was captured on city cameras Saturday evening.
The sound of gunfire and the subsequent scene of people fleeing were videoed minutes before 7:00 p.m. Authorities have since reported the capture of seven and the seizure of three weapons after three people were shot.
A social media post by the FGE reported the start of an investigation after “seven probable participants” were detained in the downtown area of Playa del Carmen.
Shortly after that public post, Lucio Hernández Gutiérrez, the Secretary of Public Security reported, “derived from the report to 911 for shots in the vicinity of the 5th Avenue of Playa del Carmen, several subjects with firearms are secured. The first indications are that it is a reaction to the arrests of recent days.”
Along with the arrests of seven, authorities have also reported the seizure of three firearms. The shootings are reported to have taken place between 8th and 10th Streets of Fifth Avenue.
Last week, more than two dozen people believed related to a criminal cell were arrested from a private residential area of Playa del Carmen. In his public social media update, Lucio Hernández Gutiérrez said this Saturday evening shooting is believed in reaction to that mass arrest.
UPDATE: The SSP has provided an update regarding the Saturday evening shooting along Fifth Avenue. In their briefing, they reported that patrolling officers near 4th Street responded to the sounds of gunfire. When they arrived between 8th and 10th Streets, they found three people with gunshot wounds. All three were transferred to hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
Those arrested from the central area of Playa del Carmen, seven men, ranged in ages from 18 to 38 and were from the states of Tamaulipas, Quintana Roo, Guanajuato, Tabasco and three from Chiapas. At the time of their arrests, three were found in possession of narcotics and the others in possession of firearms, which the SSP said were a revolver and two squad types.
The arrested are being charged with drug offences, attempted murder and violation of the federal law on firearms and explosives.