Shooting at Man‑Kii Seafood Restaurant

Playa del Carmen, QR — Around 7 PM Wednesday evening, two women—suspected employees—were shot by motorcycle-riding assailants inside Man‑Kii seafood restaurant, located at the corner of Avenidas 75 and 80 in the Ejidal neighborhood. Witnesses say the attackers entered, opened fire, and fled toward Avenida 115, while municipal police and state prosecutors secured the scene and paramedics attended to the victims.

This incident comes less than a year after the same restaurant’s façade was targeted in October by gunfire, though no one was hurt at the time. Preliminary reports suggest the motive may involve extortion—or “derecho de piso,” where criminal groups demand payments in exchange for operating safely.

Pattern of Organized Crime

Playa del Carmen has witnessed a series of violent incidents linked to organized crime, often involving extortion schemes aimed at local businesses. Man‑Kii is not unique; similar attacks have occurred at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. In one high-profile 2017 incident, masked gunmen on motorcycles opened fire in tourist venues during an electronic music festival—presenting a pattern of mobility, swift attack, and escape.

Extortion-style killings and shootings force businesses into tense negotiations or payments to criminal groups. The current Man‑Kii attack is under investigation by the state attorney general’s office (FGE), which is coordinating with local law enforcement to determine individual responsibility or gang involvement.

Authorities are collecting surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and assessing security protocols at the restaurant and neighboring businesses. Police presence at the restaurant has been increased, while prosecutors work to identify suspects and possible extortion rings.

Local business owners and the Cancún/Playa safety commission are calling for heightened venue protections, better police coordination, and transparency in addressing “derecho de piso” practices. While the investigation continues, the clinic and restaurant community remains on alert amid rising incidents of crime—and increasing concern about tourism’s safety image.

This incident is part of broader concerns over organized crime’s impact on Riviera Maya’s tourism economy. Continued reporting will focus on law enforcement responses, extortion networks, and the safety climate for businesses in Playa del Carmen.