At least 11 people were killed and 12 others injured in a shocking mass shooting at a local football match in Salamanca, in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, authorities confirmed on Sunday, in what officials described as part of an escalating wave of violence in one of the country’s most crime-ridden regions.
The attack unfolded on the evening of January 25, 2026, as an amateur match concluded in the Loma de Flores community of Salamanca, a city of roughly 160,000 residents known for its industrial activity and location within Mexico’s most violent state. Witnesses reported hearing more than 100 gunshots as multiple assailants opened fire on players and spectators who were still lingering at the community pitch.
Local authorities said that ten victims died at the scene and one later succumbed to injuries at a hospital. Among the wounded were a woman and a child, and several others were receiving ongoing medical care, prosecutors said.
In a public statement, Salamanca Mayor César Prieto condemned the assault as “regrettable and cowardly” and said it was part of a broader crime wave that has gripped the city and state. He urged President Claudia Sheinbaum and federal authorities to step up efforts to control the spiralling violence, describing the security situation as a serious breakdown of public safety.
The Guanajuato state prosecutor’s office has launched a formal investigation into the shooting, working alongside federal law enforcement to reinforce security and identify the perpetrators. State officials said additional forces have been deployed to the area as part of enhanced security measures, though they offered few details on suspect descriptions or arrests.
Guanajuato has been plagued by gang violence for years, largely driven by clashes between notorious criminal groups such as the Santa Rosa de Lima gang, heavily involved in fuel theft and other crimes, and the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). The region recorded the highest number of homicides in Mexico last year, despite national figures showing a decline in the overall murder rate in 2025, a statistic that experts say may not fully capture localized surges in violence.
The shooting has sparked renewed concern about the security landscape in Mexico, particularly as communities grapple with the fear that everyday public events such as sports matches could be targeted. It also comes months ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, for which Mexico is a co-host nation, raising questions about safety perceptions as the country prepares for one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
In addition to the pitch attack, the mayor’s office reported other violent incidents in the Salamanca area over the weekend, including separate killings and the discovery of human remains, underscoring how entrenched criminal activity has become in the region.
Officials have pledged to pursue justice for the victims and to intensify security operations, but residents remain on edge amid the persistent threats posed by rival organized crime groups operating with alarming brazenness in public spaces.
