Mexico City Airport Shooting Claims Lives of 3 Police Officers

A Mexico City police officer lies dead at Mexico City International Airport (Photo: Alexandre Meneghini/Associated Press)

Mexico City Airport became the latest target for that country’s runaway drug violence as 3 police officers were gunned down and killed Monday morning while horrified travelers dove for cover.

According to reports, gunmen posing as police officers opened fire on actual officers who were on an anti-narcotics mission at Mexico City’s Internacional Benito Juarez Airport (MEX).

The incident occurred around 10 AM EDT, and witnesses said it looked as if police were shooting police.

23 year-old Israel Lopez:

‘”We were in the food court, and some policemen came in and started shooting at another policeman who was on the floor,” Lopez said. “We dove to the floor and covered ourselves with chairs.”

Lopez said the shooters wore blue uniforms like those worn by the federal police who provide security at the airport. He said the shooters then ran to the car park area “as if they were pursuing somebody,” and he lost sight of them.’

The Federal Public Safety Department said:

‘…[The] slain agents had gone to the airport “to detain suspects linked to drug trafficking at Terminal 2,” the Department said in a statement. “Upon seeing themselves surrounded by federal police, they (the suspects) opened fire on the officers.”‘

Two officers died at the scene and another died later of his wounds at a local hospital.

There have been no arrests made thus far.

Source