Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico: At least 11 people were killed and more than 12 others injured after unidentified gunmen opened fire at a football ground in central Mexico, triggering panic among spectators, officials said on Monday.

The incident occurred late Sunday night in Salamanca, located in the western Mexican state of Guanajuato, after a local football match had concluded. Authorities said several spectators remained on the field when armed assailants arrived and began firing indiscriminately.

According to local residents, nearly 100 rounds were discharged during the attack. Among the victims were a woman and a child. Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, while security forces cordoned off the area and launched a search operation.

January 27, 2026

Salamanca Mayor Cesar Prieto stated that the attack was likely linked to organized crime activity. He urged federal and state authorities to strengthen security measures and restore public order in the violence-hit region.

Guanajuato has been witnessing sustained bloodshed due to territorial disputes between rival criminal groups, particularly the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel, which are involved in fuel theft and drug trafficking. Investigators suspect the football ground shooting may be connected to the ongoing gang rivalry.a