The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is asking for help to identify the “armed men,” who reportedly “assaulted,” and “kidnapped,” four American citizens in Mexico.
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On March 5 the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico released a statement from the FBI detailing an incident that purportedly took place on March 3. According to the report, the four Americans, who were driving a white minivan with North Carolina license plates, were fired upon by unidentified gunmen shortly after crossing the border into Mexico. All four of the individuals were then reportedly taken from the scene of the shooting and transported offsite in a vehicle by the armed men. The occurrence took place in the border town of Matamoros, Tamaulipas — which is about a 12-minute drive from Brownsville, Texas. Video evidence of the alleged attack surfaced on Twitter and reportedly shows the four Americans being dragged by the assailants into the back of a white pickup truck. The video clip appears to show multiple individuals from the group wounded and or limp as they were being dragged across the asphalt in broad daylight.
Just the usual dragging of bodies after a cartel shootout in broad daylight, today in Matamoros.#Mexico #Narcostate #FailedState pic.twitter.com/bfWwNgjBcB
— David Wolf (@DavidWolf777) March 4, 2023
Oliver Rich, Special Agent in Charge of the San Antonio Division of FBI, whose territory includes Brownsville, announced on March 5 that the FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the individuals responsible for the assault. A $50,000 reward is being offered for the return of the victims and the arrest of the perpetrators. Individuals can remain anonymous and report tips by calling the FBI San Antonio Division at 210-225-6741. Tipsters can also submit information online via the following link provided by the bureau: https://tips.fbi.gov.
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A report from Time reveals that law enforcement officials have not released the names of the American citizens captured in the assault. While it is currently unknown why the individuals were traveling in the area, the U.S. State Department has a “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” warning issued for that region due to its “high crime,” rate — the highest level alert in the travel advisory system.
“Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments,” according to State Department guidance.
Following the attack on March 3, the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros wrote in a state that it had “received reports of police activity occurring in the vicinity of Calle Primera and Lauro Villar in connection to a shooting.” In another update, the consulate added that one person had died in connection to the shooting in Lauro Villar but provided no connection to the event in Matamoros.
Watch a special report featuring new developments on the attack below.
Four Americans have been assaulted and kidnapped by armed men after crossing the border into Mexico, the FBI announced.
Video posted online appears to show some of them may be injured. https://t.co/mO3aEZF2wh pic.twitter.com/p4DGLWrPmP
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) March 6, 2023
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