Mexico: Death Toll in Plaza Garibaldi Mariachi Massacre Hits 5

Plaza Garibaldi, a famous tourist hot-spot in Mexico City where mariachi bands perform, has been the scene of a deadly attack in which several people were massacred by gunmen reportedly dressed as mariachis.

Early reports said three people were killed and seven injured, but by late Saturday the death toll had risen to five, including three men and two women. The attackers escaped on motorcycles after the attack, according to a report by Aristegui Noticias.

RELATED:
Mexico: 7,667 People Have Been Killed So Far in 2018

The incident took place at the intersection of Honduras street and Callejon de la Amargura (Bitterness Alley), in the Historic Center of downtown Mexico City. Police investigators found 60 shells from different kinds of weapons on the scene.

The attorney’s office of Mexico City said the attack was related to disputes between Union Tepito and Anti-Union Tepito, which are fighting to control the territory and drug markets.

The wounded were transferred to a hospital nearby in the Venustiano Carranza delegation after emergency response teams arrived at the scene to secure the area.

On social media, the #Garibaldi is the top trend in Mexico due to several witnesses, tourists and local people sharing videos and pictures of the plaza.

“We had never seen something like that here,” said Manuel, who has worked at the iconic square for 30 years.

With live mariachi music and a number of bars for every taste, the square is a must visit for tourists in the city. Garibaldi is within the limits of the historic center and the Tepito neighborhood, famed for its crime.

A report published in April established that nearly 7,667 people have been killed in Mexico so far this year. According to the government figures, the figure is a 20 percent increase from the 6,406 violent deaths reported in the first quarter of 2017, making this the most violent year in nearly two decades.