Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — A Sunday night bar shooting in Playa del Carmen has left seven people dead.
The open fire attack happened in Las Virginias bar on Avenida Gavilanes in the Villas del Sol subdivision in the non-tourist side of the city. Reports say that around 8:00 p.m., two men opened fire on the bar, killing six inside.
A seventh victim reportedly died in a Playa del Carmen hospital moments after arriving.
Preliminary information say that two men arrived on a black motorcycle and after entering, began shooting. Municipal and state police were quick to arrive on scene and cordon off the area where they began a search for the gunmen, however, no arrests were announced.
The General Director of Public Safety and Traffic, Martín Estada Sánchez, says they received the call of gunfire at 8:11 p.m. at which time police were sent to the bar, noting that seven people were hit by gunfire which automatically activated a search operation.
The reaction of the General Directorate of Public Safety and Traffic has been immediate. According to a communiqué, “Solicaridad City Council regrets the events that occurred in which seven people lost their lives as a result of firearms and asks the State Prosecutor’s Office for an early investigation into the events that took place.
“This cowardly act should not go unpunished. We will work hand-in-hand with federal and state corporations to deal with organized crime and rescue the image of Solidaridad as a tourist destination.”
According to witnesses, after the shooting, the two men climbed into a waiting vehicle and vanished.
During an overnight emergency meeting, the head of the General Secretariat’s office says they will implement a “zero tolerance” policy for bars and nightclubs regarding regulations and security personnel.
The announcement was made by Alfredo Paz Cetina, who explained that in response to instructions from the municipal president Laura Beristain Navarrete, they are to safeguard the security of citizens adding, “What happened is a very painful fact.”
