At least 12 people were killed in a violent armed confrontation on Sunday in the Mexican state of Sonora. The clash occurred on the highway between Hermosillo and Bahía de Kino and involved police officers and alleged hitmen, leaving dozens of families trapped in the crossfire. Two agents from the Ministerial Criminal Investigation Agency (AMIC) were injured but are now out of danger.
According to the state Attorney General’s Office, the shooting took place during an attempt to rescue the son of a criminal group leader who was in police custody. As a result of the confrontation, 12 criminals were killed and seven others managed to escape, some of whom are believed to be injured. Authorities also seized 21 assault rifles, ballistic vests, and a large amount of ammunition.
The incident comes just days after a deadly shooting in Mexico that left at least five people dead and 20 injured. The state of Sonora has seen an increase in violent confrontations and criminal activity in recent years, posing a significant challenge for local law enforcement and authorities.