Editor’s note: The above video includes clips from the livestream of the campaign event where the shooting took place.
A Mexican mayoral candidate and her daughter were among the four people shot and killed after gunfire erupted during a Facebook livestream of a campaign event on Sunday, May 11. Three people were also injured in the attack.
The deadly shooting happened in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz.
Police identified the candidate as Yesenia Lara Gutierrez, who was part of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s political party.
What happened?
The Facebook livestream shows a crowd marching in what appeared to be a parade before gunshots started. Roughly 20 shots could be heard in the clip.
Investigators have not made it clear whether they arrested a suspect, but they promised to bring those responsible to justice.
Sheinbaum responds
Sheinbaum didn’t disclose a motive for the assassination at a press conference on Monday. The Mexican president said her administration is in contact with Veracruz authorities and said federal support is available if needed, including help from the state attorney general’s office.
Sheinbaum noted that Gutierrez’s death occurred just before the June 1 election in two Mexican states.
“We’re coordinating in particular with the Secretary of Security, and with all the support needed during this electoral period from Veracruz and Durango,” Sheinbaum said.
A pattern of violence
Following Gutierrez’s death, two federal agents were also killed in another part of Veracruz, according to reports.
Targeted killings of politicians have become common in Mexico before and after election cycles.
According to Data Civica, a human rights group, a record number of people were attacked in politically related violence. In 2024, 661 politically-related attacks targeted on people and facilities.
El Economist also reported that between June 2023 and June 2024, the country saw its highest number of murders of politicians in recent history. In total, 63 political officials were assassinated. Gutierrez’s murder also comes after another mayoral candidate was killed in late April in the northern part of Veracruz.
In May 2024, a mayoral candidate was shot and killed in the southern state of Guerrero during a campaign stop. Just days after the attack, another mayor was killed after being shot while walking back to her home from the gym.
In fall 2024, Straight Arrow News reported the mayor of Guerrero’s capital was murdered by a cartel just days after he took office.
contributed to this report.
