A Mexican national was gunned down in broad daylight near a luxurious Cancun resort by two suspects who fled on jet skis as tourists huddled inside during the scary scene, according to reports.
The fatal shooting happened on Wednesday around noon in what authorities believe was a targeted attack behind the five-star Riu Caribe, the Riviera Maya News reported.
At least two gunmen approached the unidentified victim, believed to be in his 30s, and fired multiple times, police said, according to the local outlet.
After opening fire, the suspects fled from the scene on jet skis, according to reports.
The victim has not been identified, but the hotel in a short statement said he was not a guest or a worker of the hotel, according to Riviera Maya News.
Video posted on social media and reported on by news.com.au showed concerned swimsuit-clad guests and workers gathered in the lobby of the hotel, where rooms can cost up to $350 a night, per Kayak.
Mexican prosecutors said Wednesday it’s believed the fatal victim might have been part of the shooting death of a 12-year-old over the summer.
In that broad-daylight shooting, two gunmen on jet skis opened fire on the beach, killing the innocent bystander boy after they attempted to take out a rival drug dealer, CBS News reported at the time.
The US State Department has encouraged tourists from the states to use increased caution when traveling to Mexico.
“Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico,” the state department said.
“The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted.”
