The moment a Mexican mayor is fatally shot in front of a crowd during Day of the Dead festivities
The mayor of the Mexican city of Uruapan, Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez, was fatally shot Saturday night during Day of the Dead festivities. The attack took place in the city center, in front of dozens of people gathered for the event.
Mayor Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez was fatally shot Saturday night PHOTO: X/ @ThatsOurVoice
According to the authorities, the mayor was the target of an armed attack by an unidentified man, who opened fire on him seven times. Carlos Alberto Manzo Rodríguez was rushed to the hospital, but the doctors could not save his life.
“No way of investigation is excluded to clarify this cowardly act that took the life of the mayor”, a said Federal Secretary Omar García Harfuch.
In the same incident, a member of the local council and a security guard were seriously injured. The preliminary investigation showed that the weapon used in the attack was previously involved in two armed confrontations between rival criminal groups operating in the region, said prosecutor Carlos Torres Piña, quoted by The Guardian.
The state of Michoacán is one of the most dangerous in Mexico, having for years been the scene of battles between drug cartels vying for control of routes and territories. In fact, the mayor Manzo Rodríguez, a former legislator of the Morena party, had repeatedly asked for the help of the federal authorities, accusing corruption among the police and the governor.
The mourning of the inhabitants of Uruapan
The day after the murder, hundreds of residents gathered in the city center to see the mayor on his last journey. The people, dressed in black, carried photos of Manzo Rodríguez and chanted “Justice, justice. Down Morena!”accusing President Claudia Sheinbaum's ruling party of inaction in the face of escalating violence.
At the head of the funeral cortege was a man riding the mayor's black horse, his iconic hat on the saddle. Musicians dressed in black accompanied the procession, performing mariachi songs as a mark of respect.
Panic and chaos during the attack
The moment of the attack was captured by the participants, and the video clips were quickly shared on social networks. Footage shows people panicking and running in all directions for cover as gunfire rang out.
Mexican authorities are continuing their investigation, and the federal government has promised to send additional support to Michoacán to restore order and safety.
