CANCUN, MEXICO – A disturbing incident occurred on a beach in the Mexican resort city of Cancún, whereby a 12-year-old boy was killed after gunmen on jet skis opened fire. In a statement issued on Sunday, local prosecutors suggested that the shooters were attempting to target a rival drug dealer on the beach. As per reports, the disputes were linked to drug sales.
The young victim, a local resident, was caught in the crossfire whilst leisurely lounging on a beach chair with his family present. He tragically succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
As reported by the same newspaper, this incident occurred at Playa Caracol, adjacent to the Riu Cancún hotel. A spokesperson for the hotel clarified that the deceased was not a guest there and reassured that none of the hotel’s guests suffered injuries from the shooting.
Regrettably, territorial disputes among drug dealers have caused several fatalities in resorts dotted along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline over the past few years. As recently as May, a shocking discovery was made in the fashionable resort city of Acapulco, where ten bodies were found scattered. The city has been plagued by violent activities linked to drug cartels, according to local security officials.
Earlier in February this year, Acapulco officially registered three fatal casualties as a result of gunmen shooting and making their escape via boat. Also, in the previous year, two Canadians met their untimely death in Playa del Carmen, south of Cancún. This was believed to be a result of feuds among international drug and weapons trafficking gangs.
Tulum, which is located further south, was unfortunately a crime scene as well in 2021 when two tourists were caught in the crossfire of a shootout between rival drug dealers and lost their lives.