Gunmen kill 6 outside soccer stadium in northern Mexico

[News_Editor]

Gunmen kill 6 outside soccer stadium in northern Mexico

2011-09-05 21:16:36 GMT+7 (ICT)

TORREON, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- At least six people were killed, including three police officers, when a group of gunmen attacked two police units outside a soccer stadium in northern Mexico on Sunday, officials said on Monday.

The shootings occurred at around 8 p.m. local time on Sunday night outside the Territorio Santos Modelo sports complex, which houses the Santos Laguna soccer club stadium in Torreon, Coahuila and on a highway in San Pedro, Coahuila, when at least three vehicles carrying several gunmen attacked the police patrol units.

State District Attorney of the Laguna I Delegation and the Municipal Public Security Bureau said the shootout began near the Iberoamericana University on the highway to San Pedro when the gunmen attacked the first patrol unit, injuring at least two police officers.

Moments later, a second incident was reported after the group of gunmen attacked a second police unit outside the Terrirtorio Santos Modelo complex. During the shootout, two workers who were painting outside a gas station died, as well as an unidentified man who had been previously detained and was inside the patrol unit. In addition, several police officers were injured.

Emergency teams arrived at the scene, and the injured police officers were rushed to local hospitals. One of the officers died at around 9 p.m. local time. Two more police offers later succumbed to their wound and were declared dead shortly after 10 p.m. local time.

The gunmen were able to flee as they threw 'puncturing' objects from their vehicles, damaging the patrol units.

On August 20, another shooting occurred at the same soccer stadium during a game between Santos Laguna and Morelia, as gunmen reportedly targeted local police chief Adelaido Flores Diaz. One police officer was wounded during the incident, which caused fans to panic and run for cover. Players also fled to the locker rooms as the game was called off.

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