6 bystanders killed in crossfire of armed clashes near resort city of Acapulco
Clashes between two armed groups left six civilians dead near Mexico's crime-plagued beachside city of Acapulco, authorities said Tuesday.
The violence erupted on Monday night in a town called Kilometro 30 located on a highway to Mexico City, the Guerrero state prosecutor's office said in a statement.
The victims were five men and an elderly woman who were caught in the crossfire, said municipal commissioner Adan Casarrubias. Three people were injured.
Soldiers and police found weapons in an armored vehicle in the town, where several cars were set ablaze.
Armed men in at least three vehicles were involved in the confrontation, which terrified residents, Casarrubias said.
"Even if it's with pans, sticks, or whatever, we're going to fight for our town," he said.
Officials said a long-barreled weapon, magazines, cartridges, seven vehicles (including an armored truck), tire-puncturing weapons and five improvised explosive devices were seized during the investigation.
Once-thriving beach resort now blighted by violence
In its heyday in the 1950s and 60s, Acapulco was a playground of the rich and famous. Today the city once known as "the pearl of the Pacific" is engulfed by violence linked to drug cartels.
On Thursday, the administrator of a Facebook news page was gunned down in Acapulco.
Lst December, a judge was shot dead in his car outside an Acapulco courthouse.
In May 2024, 10 bodies were found scattered around the city. A month before that, the head of traffic police was shot to death when assailants opened fire on him on a street relatively far away from the resort's beaches.
In February 2024, two men were found dead on a popular beach in Acapulco, and prosecutors said the men's bodies bore "signs of torture around the neck." That same month, three people were shot dead on beaches in Acapulco, one by gunmen who arrived -- and escaped -- aboard a boat.
Acapulco is part of the state of Guerrero, one of the worst affected by drug trafficking in the country. It is among six states in Mexico that the U.S. State Department advises Americans to completely avoid, citing crime and violence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Fox News
Diddy's defense cross-examines witness after explosive allegation rapper held her over balcony
incoming update… Sean 'Diddy' Combs appeared in court Thursday for the continued cross-examination of Bryana Bongolan. Diddy sat at the defense table wearing a light colored sweater. Before testimony began, his lawyers, the prosecution and Judge Arun Subramanian spoke about pending issues regarding witnesses and exhibits. The judge reminded the courtroom and press of the pseudonym rule for the upcoming witness, "Jane." Subramanian emphasized nobody is allowed to document Jane 'in any way, shape, or form' in notes or sketches. Bongolan, a friend of Diddy's ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, took the stand Wednesday afternoon as she told the jury about her friendship with the singer-songwriter and the alleged violence she often witnessed from Combs. Bongolan testified that Diddy once dangled her off the 17-story balcony of Cassie's apartment. She also claimed Diddy allegedly threw a knife at Cassie after showing up to the singer-songwriter's apartment in another violent outburst. Her friendship with Cassie was also scrutinized, including their drug use. Bongolan claimed she procured hundreds of pills for Cassie throughout their relationship. She testified that she got sober in 2018 after doing ketamine with Diddy and the 'Me & U' singer for eight hours. As Diddy's defense began her cross-examination, Nicole Westmoreland focused on the inconsistencies between Bongolan's statements to the government and her civil lawsuit filed against the rapper in 2024. Bongolan couldn't seem to remember multiple details of the alleged balcony incident, including what drugs she was on at the time. Cassie Ventura's friend, Bryana Bongolan, returned to the stand Thursday morning after court took a late start in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' trial. Diddy's defense lawyer, Nicole Westmoreland, picked up the cross-examination of Bongolan by showing the jury a photo from an April 2016 photoshoot where Combs allegedly threatened her. Yesterday, the rapper's defense team highlighted inconsistencies between Bongolan's testimony and previous statements. Cassie's friend first made allegations against Diddy in a civil lawsuit filed in 2024. Westmoreland questioned Bongolan extensively about what she told prosecutors and accused Bongolan of lying. Cassie Ventura's friend, Bryana Bongolan, helped bolster the prosecution's theory that Sean 'Diddy' Combs was running a criminal enterprise using violence and threats, according to a legal expert. Bongolan testified Wednesday that Diddy barged into Cassie's apartment and allegedly dangled her over the ledge. She claimed the entire time he was saying, 'You know what the f--- you did.' 'The balcony incident was important because it was described in both the prosecution's superseding indictment and Bongolan's lawsuit,' former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani explained. 'Ventura had asked Bongolan to join her original lawsuit against Combs, but Bongolan said no. According to Bongolan, Ventura got the date and location wrong. Ventura said it happened at a hotel, and she thought there was a different person present. These inconsistencies could be a problem for the prosecution, which is why they elicited the testimony during direct examination." "The defense cross-examined Bongolan over her drug use, and she admitted that both she and Ventura had a serious drug problem. They tried to highlight even more inconsistencies in her meetings with prosecutors and her demand letter to Combs. According to the defense, Bongolan told prosecutors that Combs said he could kill her during the balcony incident, not another time, and she said Combs groped her breasts on the balcony.' The West Coast Trial Lawyers founder explained Bongolan's testimony is important because 'it's evidence of violence against someone he was not in a romantic relationship with." "This isn't domestic violence. It's run of the mill violence, and shows that Combs was running a criminal enterprise using violence and threats of violence towards others.' Sean "Diddy" Combs may benefit in court by having a woman lead his defense, criminal defense lawyer Jo-Anna Nieves previously explained to Fox News Digital. Teny Geragos, the daughter of famed lawyer Mark Geragos, signed on to represent the disgraced music mogul shortly after Diddy was arrested and charged with federal sex crimes in September. Her presence in the courtroom defending Diddy "sends an unspoken messaged to the jury that 'if a smart, credible woman like Geragos doesn't believe these allegations, maybe you shouldn't either,'" Nieves said. "This can especially impact jurors who are on the fence." Teny graduated from Loyola Law School Los Angeles in 2016 and worked with Brafman & Associates for eight years before becoming a founding partner of Agnifilo Intrater. She serves on the Board of Directors of the New York Criminal Bar Association and is certified to practice law in both New York and California. Mark Geragos was in court May 12 for opening statements. While not representing Diddy, Mark explained to Judge Arun Subramanian during the week of jury selection that he represents the rapper's mother, Janice Combs, and also speaks to Diddy "with great frequency." Mark is known for his Rolodex of celebrities, and has represented several high-profile clients, including Michael Jackson, Scott Peterson, Jussie Smollett, Colin Kaepernick, and most recently, the Menendez brothers in their pursuit for a new trial or resentencing. High-powered lawyer, Nicole Westmoreland, joined Sean 'Diddy' Combs' defense team in early May, as the disgraced rapper faced federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Westmoreland's addition to his legal team is noteworthy, as she herself is an outspoken survivor of sexual assault. She filed charges against the then-president of Cash Money Records, Alfred Cleveland, after he raped her at a party in 2001 while another man stood guard. According to Westmoreland, Cleveland threatened her to not report the rape, but she did and he later plead guilty for the assault. She also later filed a lawsuit against the music label and Cleveland's brother for failing to keep the party safe. Westmoreland runs her own law firm, Westmoreland Law LLC, and was notably involved in the YLS racketeering trial in Atlanta, representing defendant Quamarvious Nichols, who ended up taking a plea deal to avoid more serious charges of murder, participation in gang activity and charges of firearm possession. During day 16 of Diddy's trial on Wednesday, Westmoreland cross-examined Bryana 'Bana' Bongolan, and questioned her about her claims that Diddy dangled her off a balcony in 2016, something she told the government during various meetings. She also questioned Bongolan about the time Diddy allegedly threw a knife at Cassie Ventura, questioning how she is unable to remember the details of the incident. Sharay Hayes, who worked as an escort named "The Punisher," testified on May 20 that Sean "Diddy" Combs would give directions during "freak offs." While on the stand during direct examination by Meredith Foster with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Hayes claimed Diddy would tell his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, how to move sexually, "like move to the left or right." He claimed once during sex, the "Victory" rapper dropped a stack of money on the bed. Cassie allegedly asked if Hayes was OK, to which Diddy responded, "I'm enjoying doing this s---." Hayes claimed his last encounter with Diddy and Cassie occurred in March 2015. He alleged that at the final encounter Diddy put two condoms on the couch and said, 'I'm ready to see you f--- her.' This interaction allegedly threw Hayes off and he couldn't get an erection. Hayes claimed Cassie appeared startled and Diddy seemed aggressive. According to Hayes, Diddy left the room and Cassie followed. When they returned, Hayes was allegedly instructed to finish and he masturbated. Later he was paid and claimed Cassie thanked him for his privacy. Hayes testified that he 'didn't do the job [he] was there for' and was worried he wouldn't be called back. He claimed he never saw Cassie and Combs after this encounter. During cross-examination, Hayes explained why the condoms on the couch threw him off. He claimed they had not previously used condoms often and Hayes had his own anxiety. Hayes said he thought it would be difficult to get an erection with a condom. Hayes said he felt pressured by Combs to have sex, and explained it was 'an aggressive suggestion.' "Freak offs" were "elaborate produced sex performances that Combs arranged, directed, masturbated during, and often electronically recorded," according to the indictment. Regina Ventura testified on May 20 that she 'memorialized' Cassie's bruises that she allegedly received from Sean 'Diddy' Combs' beatings. The jury was shown photos of a bruised Cassie as her mother testified that she took the photos to 'make sure they were memorialized.' Regina testified that Cassie told her that Diddy beat the singer. The jury was then shown more photos of Cassie's bruises. Regina claimed she first learned of Diddy's alleged beatings in December 2011. She testified that she had previously read an allegation that Diddy hit Cassie in a blog and called her daughter, but Cassie denied it. Live Coverage begins here
Fox News
4 hours ago
- Fox News
Supreme Court sides with US gunmakers in case centered on Mexican cartel violence
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday in favor of seven U.S. gun manufacturers who were sued by the Mexican government over allegations they aided and abetted illegal gun sales to Mexican cartels. The high court's decision in Smith & Wesson Brands v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos was unanimous, finding that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, a statute that protects gun makers from lawsuits, did not include exceptions that gave the Mexican government the ability to sue. "The kinds of allegations Mexico makes cannot satisfy the demands of the statute's predicate exception," Justice Elena Kagan wrote for the court. Kagan noted the exceptions in the law would allow a lawsuit against the gun makers if they "proximately caused" Mexico harm. "Mexico's complaint, for the reasons given, does not plausibly allege such aiding and abetting," Kagan wrote. "So this suit remains subject to PLCAA's general bar: An action cannot be brought against a manufacturer if, like Mexico's, it is founded on a third party's criminal use of the company's product." The justices concluded that the "proximate cause" standard meant the U.S. manufacturers could not be sued when the complex commerce pipeline goes from them to wholesalers, distributors, rogue retail dealers, straw purchasers, smugglers, and then to the Mexican cartels. The case came before the high court during a delicate time for both countries, politically and diplomatically. The Trump administration has pushed the Mexican government to better patrol its border to block drugs and migrants from entering the United States, while Mexican officials have demanded the U.S. stop military-style firearms from ending up in Mexico – fueling the very drug crisis both sides seek to end. During the proceedings, attorneys for Mexico, which has strict gun sale restrictions, argued the country should be allowed to file a $10 billion civil suit in U.S. courts. The gun makers countered that their standard business practices were being unfairly targeted and that they had no awareness that their products have been illegally transported into Mexico. This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
Fox News
4 hours ago
- Fox News
Migrant deported to third country returned to US after Trump admin yields to judge's order
A Guatemalan man who was deported to Mexico by the Trump administration was returned to the U.S. this week, his lawyers confirmed to Fox News on Thursday, marking the first known instance of the Trump administration complying with a judge's orders to return an individual removed from the U.S. based on erroneous information. The individual, identified only as O.C.G, was returned to the U.S. via commercial flight, lawyers confirmed, after being deported to Mexico in March. The news comes one week after lawyers for the Justice Department told U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy that they were working to charter a plane to secure the return of the individual, identified only as O.C.G., to U.S. soil. Murphy had ruled that O.C.G., a Guatemalan migrant, had been deported to Mexico earlier this year without due process and despite his stated fears of persecution, and ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return. Additionally, Murphy told laywers for the administration that O.C.G. had not been given the chance to contest his removal to a country where he could face threats of torture, a right afforded under U.S. and international law. O.C.G. was previously held for ransom and raped in Mexico but was not afforded the chance to assert those fears prior to his removal, Murphy noted in his order, citing submissions from O.C.G.'s attorneys. "In general, this case presents no special facts or legal circumstances, only the banal horror of a man being wrongfully loaded onto a bus and sent back to a country where he was allegedly just raped and kidnapped," Murphy said earlier this month, noting that the removal process "lacked any semblance of due process." "The return of O.C.G. poses a vanishingly small cost to make sure we can still claim to live up to that ideal," Murphy said in his order. Lawyers for the Trump administration told the court last week that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations Phoenix Field Office made contact over the weekend with O.C.G.'s attorneys and are "currently working with ICE Air to bring O.C.G. back to the United States on an Air Charter Operations (ACO) flight return leg." That appears to have happened, and O.C.G. was flown via commercial airline to the U.S. on Wednesday. The news comes amid a broader court fight centered on Trump's use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act – an 18th-century wartime law it invoked earlier this year to deport certain migrants more quickly. Many were sent to CECOT, El Salvador's maximum-security prison. To date, the Trump administration has not complied with federal court orders to facilitate the return of those individuals to the U.S., even individuals who were deported in what the administration has acknowledged was an administrative error. Unlike the migrants at CECOT, however, O.C.G. had not been detained in Mexico. The Trump administration did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment. They did not immediately respond to questions about whether the administration plans to follow suit in other cases in which a federal judge ordered the administration to return an individual deemed to have been wrongfully deported. The news comes just hours after U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to provide all migrants removed to CECOT under the Alien Enemies Act an opportunity to seek habeas relief to contest their removal, as well as the opportunity to challenge their alleged gang status, which was the basis for their removal under the law. Judge Boasberg also gave the Trump administration one week to submit to the court information explaining how it plans to facilitate the habeas relief to migrants currently being held at CECOT. That ruling is almost certain to provoke a high-stakes legal standoff with the administration, and comes as Trump officials have railed against Judge Boasberg and others who have ruled in ways seen as unfavorable to the administration as so-called "activist judges." Trump called for Boasberg's impeachment earlier this year, prompting Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to issue a rare public statement of rebuke. "America's asylum system was never intended to be used as a de facto amnesty program or a catch-all, get-out-of-deportation-free card," DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement over the weekend.
