This is horrific.
At least three moms and their six children were killed by Mexican drug cartels while they were traveling between Sonora and Chihuahua:
Three US Mormon mothers and six of their children are EXECUTED by drug cartel gunmen in Mexico https://t.co/NeXXAjDBqR pic.twitter.com/kEuLUfm4Ee
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) November 5, 2019
According to reports, they were traveling to a wedding when the ambush occurred:
One relative says he found their burned-out, bullet-ridden SUV containing the remains of his nephew's wife and her four kids, including 6-month-old twins.
The family was on the way to a wedding. https://t.co/NgxVzxLFTf— ABC13 Houston (@abc13houston) November 5, 2019
One theory is that it was a case of mistaken identity:
WATCH: At least nine U.S. citizens, including six children, who live in a Mormon community in northern Mexico were killed by cartel gunmen Monday, relatives say; family members suspect it may have been a case of mistaken identity https://t.co/mRF6zJmigJ pic.twitter.com/L8Yiy75fbM
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 5, 2019
Some of the family members survived. From Slate:
Nine members of a Mormon community of dual U.S.-Mexican citizens were killed in northern Mexico Monday in a what appears to be a vicious drug cartel attack. Mexico’s minister for public security confirmed Tuesday that three women and six children were killed in broad daylight as they drove on a highway in the border state of Sonora, an area contested by organized-crime groups. One vehicle reportedly stopped because of a flat tire and assailants attacked the stranded car, killing the driver and four children, including 6-month-old twins. The attackers then set the car on fire.
Two other cars were attacked nearby, killing two women and two children. A member of the family described a scene where a child was gunned down while running away. There are believed to be at least eight survivors, including as many as seven children who reportedly escaped. Some of the escaped children were seriously wounded, including a 9-month-old who was shot in the chest and a 4-year-old shot in the back. One thirteen-year-old reportedly walked 14 miles to the family’s home to get help after hiding his wounded siblings in the brush.
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Sonora Gov. Claudia Pavlovich Arellano writes:
“As a mother I feel courage, repudiation and deep pain for the cowards made in the mountains between Sonora and Chihuahua. I don’t know what kind of monsters dare to hurt women and children. As Governor all my collaboration so that it does not go unpunished and those responsible pay.”
Como madre siento coraje, repudio y un profundo dolor por los cobardes hechos en la sierra entre Sonora y Chihuahua. No sé qué clase de monstruos se atreven a lastimar a mujeres y niños. Como Gobernadora toda mi colaboración para que no quede impune y paguen los responsables.
— Claudia Pavlovich A. (@ClaudiaPavlovic) November 5, 2019
President Donald Trump tweeted that the U.S. was ready to provide military assistance if asked:
“. . .the cartels have become so large and powerful that you sometimes need an army to defeat an army!”
A wonderful family and friends from Utah got caught between two vicious drug cartels, who were shooting at each other, with the result being many great American people killed, including young children, and some missing. If Mexico needs or requests help in cleaning out these…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2019
….monsters, the United States stands ready, willing & able to get involved and do the job quickly and effectively. The great new President of Mexico has made this a big issue, but the cartels have become so large and powerful that you sometimes need an army to defeat an army!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2019
And, “This is the time for Mexico, with the help of the United States, to wage WAR on the drug cartels and wipe them off the face of the earth”:
This is the time for Mexico, with the help of the United States, to wage WAR on the drug cartels and wipe them off the face of the earth. We merely await a call from your great new president!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2019
Over to you, Congress:
Designate these cartels "Foreign Terrorist Organizations." Go after them. Let's #EndBorderCrisisNow! https://t.co/InOseMvo9Y https://t.co/IZ5otNVxHO
— Rep. Chip Roy (@RepChipRoy) November 5, 2019
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