Penasco Police Chief Landagaray shot six times, clinging to life
Police Chief Erick Francisco Landagaray is clinging to life and his security escort is recovering from wounds after they were ambushed last night at 10:55 p.m. on Rio Suchiate Blvd. in front of the Pan Bimbo warehouse.
Security escort Luis Huerta Ibarra sustained several wounds but was listed as being out of danger and is expected to make a full recovery, Chief Landagaray, who was said to have suffered six gunshot wounds, is currently reported in very grave condition and was transported by air to Hermosillo at 5:30 a.m. after emergency surgery.
Witnesses report that Jeep Cherokee SUV was used in the attack.
Municipal, State and Federal law enforcement agencies quickly mobilized in an effort to find those responsible for the attack, which occurred as they made their nightly rounds of the city.
In the aftermath of the incident, rumors were running rampant, among them that a warning message was transmitted over police radios by the assailants or their associates. Also rumored was that there was an attack on the home of Mayor Alejandro Zepeda. As is often the case with rumors, this has proven to be false.
Puerto Penasco Mayor Alejandro Zepeda Munro was at the hospital to offer support to the victims and their families.
“Visitors should know that increased military and police presence on the streets of the city are to be expected as part of the standard operating procedure when something like this happens”, said a high-ranking government official. “The increased patrols are just part of what we do to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors”.
