Suspects have been arrested in Mexico ambush of American families
Dec 2, 2019, 7:41 AM | Updated: 8:34 am
A bullet-riddled vehicle that members of LeBaron family were traveling in sits parked on a dirt road near Bavispe, at the Sonora-Chihuahua border, Mexico, Wednesday, Nov 6, 2019. Three women and six of their children, related to the extended LeBaron family, were gunned down in an attack while traveling along Mexico's Chihuahua and Sonora state border on Monday. (AP Photo/Christian Chavez)
(AP Photo/Christian Chavez)
Authorities in Mexico said they have taken several suspects into custody who may be involved in the killings of nine Americans last month.
The suspects were detained by federal authorities early Sunday, ABC News reported, citing a press release from the the Attorney General’s Office of the Republic. The announcement didn’t specify who had been arrested or how many.
It was the second time officials had pulled in someone they believed was connected to the attack. The first suspect was eventually determined not to have been involved.
Three women and six of their 14 children were ambushed in Chihuahua on Nov. 4, as they drove a rural road from their community in Sonora. They were traveling in three SUVS to a wedding about 100 miles south of the Arizona border.
The dead included 8-month-old twins. Eight children managed to escape from the vehicles and hide in the bushes before finding help.
At least five of the survivors had gunshot wounds or other injuries.
Mexican Security Secretary Alfonso Durazo said at the time the gunmen may have mistaken the group’s large SUVs for those of rival gangs.
Dawna Ray Langford and her sons, Trevor, 11; and Rogan, 2, died in the hail of bullets.
Rhonita Miller and her children Howard Jr., 12; Krystal 10; and twins Titus and Tiana, 8 months; were shot and their bodies found in the charred remains of their vehicle, which had burst into flames after bullets hit the gas tank.
Christina Langford Johnson was killed but managed to save her infant daughter by hiding her on the floorboard of the back seat.
Violence in Mexico escalated again over the weekend. At least 20 people died in an hourlong gun battle Saturday with suspected cartel gunmen about an hour’s drive southwest of Eagle Pass, Texas.
Seven of the dead were suspected cartel members.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
