Arrests Made in Connection with Fatal May Shootings in Mexico City
In a significant development, 13 individuals believed to be linked to the fatal shootings of two city officials in Mexico City have been apprehended. The victims, who were part of the city mayor's staff, were tragically killed in broad daylight back in May.
Details of the Criminal Operation
Reportedly, the operation was carefully planned and executed. The individuals arrested are suspected to have played various roles in the crime, from planning to execution. Among the arrested, three are suspected to be directly involved in the shootings, while the others are believed to have been part of the logistics.
The city leader, deeply affected by the loss of her colleagues, expressed her commitment to pursuing justice. She vowed to ensure that the truth would be uncovered and justice would be served, as a way to honor the memory of the victims and to provide some solace to their grieving families and friends.
The Victims and the Crime Scene
The victims, an advisor named José and the personal secretary of the mayor named Ximena, were killed while they were in Ximena's car on a city street. It was a part of their routine for Ximena to pick up José from a subway station.
The assailant, after committing the crime, reportedly fled the scene on a motorcycle that was stashed nearby. After that, the shooter and his accomplices are believed to have switched vehicles twice in their bid to escape, finally disappearing into a neighboring state.
Progress in the Investigation
These arrests mark a significant step forward in the ongoing investigation. The city's chief prosecutor shared some insights into the case at a recent press conference. She revealed that a total of five vehicles, including the motorcycle used by the shooter to flee, were involved in the operation. Two of these vehicles were suspected to have been used to keep tabs on the victims' movements prior to the crime.
Interestingly, it is believed that the crime was originally intended to take place on a different date. However, a change in the victims' routine on that particular day may have led to the plan being postponed.
The Escape and the Arrests
Investigations have led the authorities to believe that, after the crime, the culprits initially escaped to a neighborhood in the borough of Iztacalco, which is located near the city's international airport. There, they are suspected to have switched vehicles before making their getaway to the neighboring state.
In a major operation, law enforcement carried out 11 raids and successfully arrested the 13 suspects. The city's police chief said there were multiple lines of inquiry, but refrained from discussing a potential motive while the investigation was still underway.