Tulum Shooting Leaves One Dead, One Injured

TULUM, Mexico — An armed attack on Sunday afternoon in the 2 de Octubre neighborhood resulted in one man dead and another seriously injured, prompting a large mobilization of security forces and emergency services to the area.

The incident occurred at the intersection of Saturno Poniente and Leo Sur, where residents reported multiple gunshots to emergency services. Witnesses stated that several armed individuals opened fire on two men who were at the location, subsequently fleeing on a motorcycle in an unknown direction.

Upon the arrival of first responders, municipal police officers found the two victims lying on the pavement. Paramedics from a private ambulance confirmed that one of the men showed no signs of life, while the second victim was stabilized and transported emergently to a local hospital. His current health status remains unknown.

The scene was secured, and forensic specialists from the State Attorney General's Office began the collection of ballistic evidence, as well as the transfer of the body to the Medical Forensic Service (Semefo) for a legally required autopsy.

Unofficial reports indicate that the victims were linked to a local criminal group known as the "escuadrón de la muerte" (death squad), which reinforces the hypothesis that the aggression is related to disputes over retail drug trafficking in the municipality. However, ministerial authorities have not confirmed this version of events and are keeping the investigation file open.

This new violent event adds to the wave of executions recorded in Tulum during 2025, which now total more than 40 cases in different neighborhoods and tourist zones. This has generated growing concern among inhabitants and is affecting the perception of security in one of the most visited destinations in the Mexican Caribbean.

Residents of the 2 de Octubre neighborhood expressed their fear over the constant presence of armed incidents in the area, while authorities reiterated their call for citizens to collaborate with anonymous tips to help identify those responsible.

Despite surveillance operations announced by all three levels of government, violence linked to organized crime continues to define the landscape of Tulum, which is facing one of the bloodiest years in its recent history.