Gunfire Turns Festive Night into Tragedy in Mexico’s Irapuato, 12 Dead in Targeted Attack
A religious celebration in Irapuato, Mexico spiraled into horror late Tuesday night after gunmen opened fire on a street gathering, killing 12 people and injuring at least 20 others.
The attack took place during festivities marking the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, when residents were dancing in the street.
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| File/Representational Image Source: Andy Vermout |
Rodolfo Gómez Cervantes, an Irapuato municipal official, confirmed the death toll in a press briefing on Wednesday. Victims include a 17-year-old, eight men, and two women, according to the Guanajuato state prosecutor's office.
President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attack and vowed a thorough investigation.
This marks the second mass shooting at a religious event in Guanajuato in recent weeks. In May, seven people were killed during a Catholic Church gathering in San Bartolo de Berrios.
Guanajuato, located northwest of Mexico City, has become one of Mexico’s most violent states. Authorities say the ongoing conflict between criminal groups—including the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel—is fueling the bloodshed.
The state has recorded 1,435 homicides in the first five months of 2025, more than any other in the country.
Despite repeated security crackdowns, the cycle of violence in Guanajuato remains unbroken, with civilians increasingly caught in the crossfire.