Seven young men assassinated on public soccer field in Juarez, Mexico

Seven young men assassinated on public soccer field in Juarez, Mexico

2011-01-25 11:40:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

JUAREZ, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- Seven young men were killed while playing soccer at a public park by a group of armed men in the drug-plagued city of Juarez, located in the northern region of Mexico, officials said Monday.

The armed group approached the public park - located in the community center of the Francisco I. Madero neighborhood in Juarez, Chihuahua, which borders El Paso, Texas - and attacked the group of men playing soccer. According to initial reports, they arrived and threatened them before opening fire.

Three of the victims died at the scene, and four others later died in different hospitals. The men were aged from 19 to 26 years old. In addition, two others were injured, a 24-year-old, who was reported seriously wounded, and a 13-year-old, who has already been released from the hospital.

Police investigators said at least 128 gunshots were fired from .40, .223, and 7.62x39 millimeter caliber weapons. The reason of the attack is still unknown as authorities continue looking into the incident.

Juarez is considered as one of the most violent cities in Mexico. In 2010, over 3,100 assassinations were documented, representing an average of 9 homicides per day. With the new year just starting, over 130 homicides have already been reported in the area.

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