Gunmen killed 11 people and injured at least 20 others during a religious festival in Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico, on Tuesday night, June 24, 2025. The attack occurred during celebrations marking the Nativity of John the Baptist, a significant Catholic holiday.
The shooting took place around 11:20 p.m. on Bustamante Street in the San Juan area of Irapuato, where locals were eating and dancing to mark the holiday. Among those killed were a 17-year-old, eight adult men, and two women, according to the Guanajuato state prosecutor’s office.
A witness described the chaotic scene, telling AFP that “It was chaos. People put the wounded into their cars and rushed to hospital to try to save them.” The witness requested anonymity due to safety concerns. Video footage shared online captured the moment gunfire erupted as people were dancing and socializing, causing immediate panic among the crowd.
The violence was livestreamed on Facebook, showing families screaming as they were shot at close range. Bloodstains were visible on the ground and bullet holes marked the walls following the attack. Belongings of victims were scattered on the pavement alongside bullet casings and blood spatter.
Among the injured was a two-year-old boy who was reportedly shot in the eye. The ages of the wounded ranged from 52 to 88 years old, with injuries spanning from serious to minor conditions, according to officials.
President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the shooting as deplorable and announced that authorities had launched an investigation. Speaking at her daily news conference, Sheinbaum described the incident as a confrontation without providing details about the circumstances or victims.
Guanajuato state Governor Libia Dennise condemned the bloodshed and expressed solidarity and condolences to the victims and their families. Security forces launched a search for the perpetrators, whom the Irapuato municipal government described as having committed a cowardly act.
The municipal government issued a statement regretting and condemning the attack. Officials indicated they were working in coordination with personnel from the Guanajuato State Attorney General’s Office to provide necessary information to clarify the incident. Municipal Police personnel provided psychological care, legal advice, and support to families through the Comprehensive Victim Assistance Centre.
The attack occurred in Mexico’s deadliest state, where gang turf wars have created a dangerous environment despite Guanajuato being a thriving industrial hub and home to several popular tourist destinations. Much of the violence in the region stems from conflict between the Santa Rosa de Lima gang and the Jalisco New Generation cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful criminal organizations.
Guanajuato recorded more than 3,000 murders in 2024, the highest number of any Mexican state according to official figures. The bloodshed has continued into 2025, with investigators finding 17 bodies in an abandoned house last month. Days before that discovery, gunmen killed seven people, including children, in the same state, with officers finding banners containing messages alluding to the Santa Rosa de Lima gang.
Criminal violence linked primarily to drug trafficking has claimed approximately 480,000 lives in Mexico since 2006 and left more than 120,000 people missing. The Jalisco cartel has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration.
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist is celebrated in Mexico on June 24 to mark the birth of the prophet. The holiday holds significant importance for Catholics, with communities traditionally organizing picnics, cookouts, and water-based events reflecting John’s role in baptizing Jesus Christ.
Local authorities emphasized their commitment to restoring peace to the city. The municipal government stated they would not back down in their mission to bring safety to Irapuato residents, acknowledging that such events generate uncertainty among the population. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to identify and apprehend the gunmen who fled the scene.
