Mexico Gunmen open fire at football match in Mexico, killing at least 11

Gunmen opened fire at a football match in central Mexico on Sunday, killing at least 11 people and wounding 12, authorities said.

César Prieto, the mayor of the town of Salamanca in central Guanajuato state, said in a statement posted to social media platforms that the gunmen arrived at the end of a match.

Ten people were killed at the scene and one died later at a hospital. Prieto said a woman and a child were among the wounded.

The mayor said the attack was part of a “crime wave” in the city and appealed to the Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, for help to control the violence.

Gunmen opened fire at a local football match in central Mexico on Sunday, killing at least 11 people and wounding 12 others, in one of the latest acts of violence to shake the country. The attack took place in the town of Salamanca, located in Guanajuato state, a region that has struggled with ongoing criminal violence in recent years.

According to authorities, the shooting happened at the end of a football match, when players and spectators were still gathered near the field. Witnesses said armed men arrived suddenly and began firing into the crowd, causing panic and chaos. Families, including children, had been attending the match, turning what should have been a peaceful community event into a scene of horror.

National Guard officers were quickly deployed to the area and secured the scene of the attack in Salamanca. Emergency services rushed the wounded to nearby hospitals, while investigators began collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.

César Prieto, the mayor of Salamanca, confirmed the details in a statement posted on social media. He said that 10 people were killed at the scene, while another victim later died at a hospital, bringing the total death toll to 11. Twelve others were injured in the attack. Prieto added that a woman and a child were among those wounded, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the violence.

The mayor described the incident as part of a continuing “crime wave” affecting the city and surrounding areas. He publicly appealed to Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, for additional federal support to help local authorities regain control and restore security. Prieto stressed that the community is living in fear and that stronger action is needed to combat organized crime groups operating in the region.

Guanajuato state has long been considered one of the most violent regions in Mexico. Rival criminal organizations are believed to be fighting for control over drug trafficking routes, fuel theft operations and other illegal activities. Salamanca, in particular, has experienced repeated outbreaks of violence linked to organized crime.

Although authorities have not immediately released details about the motive behind Sunday’s attack, investigators are examining whether it was connected to ongoing gang rivalries. In many cases, public spaces such as bars, restaurants and sports events have been targeted either to intimidate rivals or send messages to competing groups.

The presence of National Guard officers at the scene reflects the seriousness of the incident. Federal security forces have increasingly been deployed across Mexico in an attempt to support local police forces that are often outgunned or understaffed. However, despite these efforts, high levels of violence continue in certain states.

Local residents expressed shock and anger following the attack. Football matches in small towns like Salamanca are often community gatherings where families come together to watch local teams compete. The fact that gunmen would open fire in such a setting has deepened public concern about safety in everyday life.

Mayor Prieto emphasized that innocent people were targeted and that the victims included individuals who were simply enjoying a Sunday sporting event. He vowed that those responsible would be pursued and brought to justice, though past cases have shown that solving such crimes can be challenging.

President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration has pledged to address insecurity through a combination of social programs, intelligence operations and coordination between federal and state authorities. However, incidents like the Salamanca shooting underline the ongoing difficulties faced by the government in curbing organized crime.

Security analysts note that violence in Guanajuato has often been linked to clashes between powerful criminal groups competing for territory. These conflicts can erupt suddenly and affect civilians caught in the crossfire. Public shootings, though shocking, are not unprecedented in areas where criminal organizations operate openly.

As investigations continue, authorities are reviewing surveillance footage and gathering forensic evidence to identify the attackers. No arrests were immediately announced following the incident.

The tragedy has left the community of Salamanca in mourning. Vigils and messages of condolence have begun appearing on social media, with residents calling for peace and justice. The attack serves as another grim reminder of the deep-rooted security challenges facing parts of Mexico, where violence linked to organized crime continues to disrupt daily life and claim innocent lives.