19 victims of Michoacan cockfighting massacre identified

The Attorney General's Office of the Mexican state of Michoacán (FGE) reported on Wednesday that it had identified 19 of the 20 people murdered on Sunday in a cockfighting venue in the municipality of Zinapécuaro. The data was obtained from an exchange of information with authorities from the U.S. Embassy.

Avanza #identificación de víctimas de hechos ocurridos en #Zinapécuaro. Conoce más ➡ https://t.co/nrOlkcAarl

— Fiscalía General de Michoacán (@FiscaliaMich) March 30, 2022

José Abiel A., owner of the venue, and his children Salvador A. and Melissa S., who were U.S. citizens, were among the victims, reported El Sol de Mexico.

One of the victims of the attack, Arlette, is still fighting between life and death, according to Univision Chicago.

According to testimony from indirect victims, the suspect, who has not yet been identified, was is a man of Guatemalan origin known as "Chapo."

The Michoacan Attorney General's Office said it was able to determine that members of a criminal gang operating in its eastern region were allegedly present at the venue.

Reports indicate that armed individuals dressed in camouflage broke into the cockfighting venue and shot at the attendees. A passenger truck was used to block the entrance and exit of the venue.

During the police inspection, 15 vehicles of different types and models were found. One of them was related to the people who suffered the aggression. Clothing and stickers with the logo of a criminal group were found inside, according to the news outlet Excélsior.

More than a hundred casings of 7.62 and .223 caliber were also collected as well as a .40 mm caliber grenade.

Following the events, users on social media reported shootings in the vicinity of Zinapécuaro.

🚨⚠️ #Zinapécuaro | Un video de una mujer desde la azotea de una casa, narró con voz de pánico, los balazos que se llevaban a cabo posteriores a la masacre en el palenque clandestino, donde masacraron a 20 personas ayer por la noche.#REDMichoacán pic.twitter.com/x6INdVfnsB

— RedMichoacán (@RED_Michoacan) March 28, 2022

The municipality of Zinapécuaro is the site of clashes between the Jalisco New Generation and La Familia Michoacana cartels, which are trying to take control of the territory. After the incident, members of the Mexican Army arrived on Tuesday to reinforce security in the municipality.

The 19 people identified are reportedly the following: José Abiel A., Salvador A., José Andrés M., José H., Erik Salvador M., Daniel E., Damián M., Federico L., Juan Pablo L., Jesús Horacio L., Miguel Ángel M., Alejandro Michel G., Carlos Alberto M., José Martín A., Juan Ignacio G. and Juan Jesús M. The bodies of Melissa S., Jennifer Karina T. and Martha Elba P. were also identified and handed over.