Mexican President Sheinbaum Confirms Attack That Killed 10 Was Criminal Group Confrontation

What started as a celebration of a patron saint festival in the city of Irapuato, Guanajuato, quickly turned into tragedy after an armed attack in the Barrio Nuevo neighborhood left 10 people dead and 17 others injured, including children.

The shooting took place on June 24 during festivities honoring Saint John, a popular tradition among residents in Guanajuato. Attendees at a home in Barrio Nuevo were dancing to live music when gunfire broke out.

The moment was captured on a livestream by Banda San Cristóbal, the musical group performing at the event. According to multiple Mexican media outlets, witnesses said the victims included men, women and children. Local media reported that four victims died at the scene, while six others died at local hospitals from their injuries.

In a statement, city officials condemned the violence and reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing justice.

"From the very beginning, with the participation of personnel from the Citizen Security Secretariat, the military and the National Guard, a joint operation was launched to locate the alleged perpetrators," the statement read. "We are working in coordination with the Guanajuato State Attorney General's Office to provide the necessary information to clarify this incident."

Authorities said more than 40 shell casings were recovered at the scene. As of Wednesday, no arrests had been made.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also condemned the attack, stating that the shooting appeared to stem from a confrontation between criminal groups.

"Yes, it is a regrettable multiple homicide, and it is under investigation," Sheinbaum said during her morning press conference on June 25. "In this case, it was actually a confrontation, but unfortunately, children died. So, it is a very unfortunate event. The investigation is underway, and we will continue working in coordination with Governor Libia García, along with federal forces doing their part," she added.

Guanajuato has long been a focal point of conflict between criminal organizations due to its strategic location for drug trafficking.

Just on Monday, four members of a family were killed inside their home in Celaya.

Attacks by criminal groups at events such as parties, funerals have also increased in recent months. In March alone, 11 people were killed in shootings allegedly carried out by cartel members during funeral services.

Since December 2024, at least 16 people have been killed in Guanajuato in funeral-related attacks, in addition to dozens more who were injured.

Despite a recent wave of violence in Guanajuato, Sheinbaum noted during her Wednesday press conference that the state has seen a decline in overall homicides. In 2024, Guanajuato led all Mexican states with 3,151 homicide cases out of 30,057 recorded nationwide.