A wedding celebration in Jalapa, Tabasco, Mexico, was violently interrupted on Saturday night, November 23, 2024, when armed individuals stormed the venue, resulting in one fatality and two injuries. The incident occurred at the Casino del Pueblo, a local event hall, as the bride was preparing to toss her bouquet.
The bride, holding her bouquet and standing on a chair beside her husband, was captured on video as at least five men burst into their reception at the Casino del Pueblo in Xalapa on Saturday. Footage obtained by a local media source shows the moment chaos erupted at the celebration.
During the attack, a gunman attempted to abduct wedding guest Vladimir Zúñiga Calzada, who was reportedly a suspected human trafficker, while he was on the dancefloor. When he resisted, the gunman fatally shot him. Two other individuals were also injured by gunfire, according to officials.
Jalapa Mayor José Manuel Hernández Pérez confirmed the details of the attack, stating, “There was an act of violence committed by several people, over five reported, at the city casino. They were heavily armed, and gunshots were fired, resulting in three people being injured. One was seriously wounded and lost his life.”
The area around the Casino del Pueblo was secured and remains under surveillance as security agencies continue their investigation. Mayor Hernández Pérez stated that the local government is providing full support to the affected families and working to keep them informed. He expressed hope for restoring peace in the community and extended blessings to the region and its residents.
The shooting comes just weeks after a deadly attack at Los Cantaritos bar in downtown Santiago de Querétaro, approximately 120 miles northwest of Mexico City. On November 9, around 9:30 p.m., security footage captured four gunmen arriving in a vehicle and swiftly entering the establishment. Armed with large, long-range firearms, one assailant began shooting outside the bar before all four proceeded inside, where they fired indiscriminately at patrons dining at tables. The chaotic scene showed guests screaming and seeking cover under tables as bullets ricocheted throughout the venue. The attack resulted in ten fatalities and multiple injuries.