'Little Chapo': Teen accused of murdering eight people in Mexico

Federal authorities and the State of Mexico arrested a 14-year-old teenager nicknamed "El Chapito" on Friday, who was accused of being one of the gunmen who killed eight people and injured seven others during a birthday party in Mexico.

The events occurred on Jan. 22 after the young man approached a family on a motorcycle in the municipality of Chimalhuacán, east of Mexico City, and opened fire.

Police arrested another man for allegedly participating in the murders while seven members of an associated criminal gang were charged with related drug offenses.

A 14-year-old boy with the nickname 'El Chapito' was arrested after eight people—including a 3-year-old—were gunned down at a birthday party. https://t.co/WwDMNVGhlK

— VICE News (@VICENews) March 18, 2023

"As a result of the attack, three adults died at the scene of the attack and five while receiving medical care at various hospitals," reported the Secretariat for Citizen Security and Protection (SSPC). Five adults and two children were injured.

Although the real name of the defendant was not revealed because he is a minor, his nickname was released, which clearly alludes to drug trafficker Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, who is currently serving a sentence in a U.S. federal prison.

The others arrested were identified as: Luis Raúl "N," "El Ñoño," Said "N," Erika Patricia "N," Lesly Karina "N," Brandon Yael "N," Jesús "N," Jonathan Emmanuel "N,” Julio “N,” and Luis Enrique “N.”

The leader of the gang, identified as Leonardo "N" alias "El Lenguas," 28, has already been captured, authorities said.

The motive for the shooting was not disclosed, but gangs in Mexico often engage in kidnapping and murder-for-hire as well. They are also known for killing rivals who sell drugs in their territories and people who owe them money.