A significant shooting incident occurred at a football stadium in Salamanca, Guanajuato State, central Mexico on Sunday, January 25th. A group of armed individuals opened fire on a crowd gathered for a social gathering after the football game, resulting in 11 fatalities and 12 injuries.
The bloody attack took place in the Loma de Flores community in Salamanca town. The gunmen appeared suddenly as people were socializing at the sidelines after the football match and started firing into the crowd.
According to a statement released by the mayor’s office, 10 people were killed on the spot, and one person succumbed to injuries while receiving treatment at the hospital.
Among the 12 wounded individuals are a woman and a child, all currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.
The motive behind the gunmen’s actions remains unclear.
Mayor Cesar Prieto of Salamanca strongly condemned the violence on Facebook, describing it as a “sad and cowardly” attack, exacerbating the state’s ongoing wave of violence, which he deemed as serious social decay.
“Regrettably, criminal groups attempt to intimidate authorities, but they will not succeed,” emphasized Prieto, asserting that law enforcement will continue to act decisively to “apprehend the perpetrators.”
In response to the large-scale massacre, the Guanajuato Attorney General’s Office has initiated an official investigation and is coordinating with local, state, and federal authorities to enhance security in the area and intensify the pursuit of the suspects at large.
Despite recent claims by President Claudia Sheinbaum that the national murder rate for 2025 has decreased to the lowest in a decade due to the national security strategy, local situations remain volatile.
Guanajuato State, known for being an industrial hub and a tourist destination, has become the state with the highest number of violent deaths in Mexico due to turf battles among gangs.
Just the night before the football stadium attack, Salamanca city authorities discovered four bags containing human remains.
Furthermore, this tragedy has raised concerns about the safety of sports venues.
This year, Mexico is set to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2026 with the United States and Canada. Three venues, including the Azteca Stadium in the capital Mexico City, will host various crucial matches. With the upcoming international sporting event, security concerns surrounding public sports venues are under scrutiny.