Armed, masked individuals attacked a public market, leading to the death of nine people.
Reportedly, the individuals descended upon the market, opened fire, and subsequently set part of the market on fire with a flammable liquid. After the attack, the culprits quickly left the area.
Law enforcement officials have stated that they are investigating the actions of private security guards who are suspected of abandoning their posts during the attack.
It’s suspected that three of the deceased are minors, although this remains unconfirmed.
The attack took place in Toluca, located approximately 40 miles west of Mexico City. Toluca, home to nearly a million people, is considered part of the capital’s metropolitan area, with many residents commuting to Mexico City for work. Its market is the second largest in Mexico, with 26,000 shoppers a day.
Arson attacks at public markets in Mexico are often the work of gangs demanding protection money from vendors, or disagreements between vendors and owners. The State of Mexico prosecutors are exploring whether the attack in Toluca is related to internal disputes over control of commercial areas within the market.
This episode of violence follows recent news from the southern state of Guerrero, where authorities have confirmed the deaths of four taxi drivers. This past weekend, at least one taxi was found burned in the state capital, Chilpancingo, and its surrounding areas.
Last week, Toluca was stunned by the discovery of at least two dismembered bodies, linked to the violent drug cartel Familia Michoacana. Originating in the neighboring state of Michoacan in the early 2000s, the gang, though largely displaced from its original base, has established a new stronghold in the State of Mexico and neighboring Guerrero.
