Businesses Close in Santa Bárbara After Attack on Police Officers

“Sol Prendido” for Borderland Beat

Merchants in Santa Bárbara closed their businesses as a precaution after the attack on and brief detention of seven state police officers.

In reaction to the violent events that occurred today in the southern region of the state, business owners in Santa Bárbara chose to close their establishments as a precautionary measure, following the attack on seven State Police intelligence officers and given the ongoing security operation in the municipality.

According to available information, the atmosphere of uncertainty intensified after it became known that, at approximately 2:00 p.m., state police officers conducting an investigation to locate a high-priority target were attacked by armed civilians traveling in several vehicles.

As a result of this event, it was reported that no police officers were injured by gunfire; however, the officers were disarmed and beaten during the attack, in addition to being temporarily detained, which increased the perception of risk among the population.

Following these events, partial closures of establishments and a reduction in commercial activity were observed in different parts of the municipality, while some families chose to stay in their homes and limit travel, awaiting official information.

The situation worsened with reports registered in San Francisco del Oro, where gunfire and one injured person were reported, as well as the alleged involvement of a black van; subsequently, the Municipal Public Security Directorate (DSPM) issued a warning asking citizens not to leave their homes until further notice.

These events caused operations to be extended and reinforced in the region, with patrols and inter-agency presence in municipalities such as Santa Bárbara, San Francisco del Oro, Matamoros, and Hidalgo del Parral, as well as the implementation of checkpoints and surveillance actions on highways.

To date, authorities have not confirmed any arrests nor have they specified the total number of casualties resulting from the events, the corresponding areas continue to follow up to locate those responsible and clarify what happened.

Meanwhile, a climate of alert prevails in Santa Bárbara, with limited commercial activity and a constant presence of security units, while the population remains attentive to official communications regarding the progress of the operations and the conditions for returning to normalcy.

Santa Bárbara, Chihuahua

Source: El Sol de Parral