Gunman opens fire at religious event in Mexico killing 12 people, 20 injured

A religious celebration in the Mexican city of Irapuato was abruptly and brutally halted when gunmen opened fire on a crowd, leaving at least 12 people dead and 20 others injured. The tragic event took place late on Tuesday during festivities marking the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, a joyous occasion that turned into a scene of chaos and horror.

Eyewitnesses and online videos show that people were dancing and enjoying the street festivities when the sudden bursts of gunfire erupted. The celebratory atmosphere instantly dissolved into panic as revellers screamed and scrambled for cover, desperately trying to escape the hail of bullets.

Rodolfo Gómez Cervantes, an official in Irapuato, confirmed in a news conference on Wednesday that the death toll had tragically risen to 12. The Guanajuato state prosecutor’s office provided a breakdown of the victims, noting that among the deceased were a 17-year-old, eight men, and two women. The violence highlights the pervasive and escalating security crisis gripping parts of Mexico.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attack, calling it "deplorable" and stating that a full investigation is underway to identify and apprehend those responsible. The incident is not an isolated one in the region, raising concerns about the security situation in the state.

This is the second such mass shooting in Guanajuato in a matter of weeks. Just last month, seven people were killed in a similar attack at a party organized by the Catholic Church in San Bartolo de Berrios, also within the state. These repeated incidents underscore the vulnerability of public gatherings to criminal violence.