3 killed as gunmen open fire at a soccer field in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico

Three people were killed and three others wounded after armed attackers opened fire at a football field in the Las Granjas neighborhood of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, late on Friday, September 18, Mexican authorities and local media reported.

The victims were targeted while a group of people was gathered at the sports facility, according to preliminary reports. Witnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and fled after firing at those present. The motive has not been officially established.

Among the injured was a child who suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was taken to a hospital. The other two wounded people reportedly suffered injuries to the hand and shoulder. Authorities have not publicly released the identities of the victims.

Six suspects arrested

The Chiapas Secretariat of Public Security said six alleged suspects were arrested during a joint operation involving state, municipal and federal authorities. Officials also reportedly seized vehicles and weapons during the operation.

Authorities identified the detainees as Cristóbal “N,” Omar “N,” Irene “N,” Martha “N,” Jhovany “N” and Richard “N.” The suspects were placed at the disposal of the competent authorities, while investigators continued searching for possible additional participants.

Investigation opened

Chiapas Attorney General Jorge Luis Llaven Abarca said prosecutors had opened a formal investigation and deployed specialized homicide, ministerial intelligence and strategic affairs units to identify those responsible and determine the motive for the attack.

Governor Eduardo Ramírez Aguilar said he had ordered security institutions to respond immediately and locate those responsible. “We will act with zero impunity and with the full weight of the law,” he said in a statement circulated on social media.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not yet announced an official explanation for the shooting. Reports initially differed on the number of victims and arrests as information developed, but later updates from state security authorities cited three deaths, three injuries and six arrests.