Gunmen open fire at football match in Mexico, killing at least 11 people and leaving more than a dozen injured after armed attackers stormed a local football game in the city of Salamanca, in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The attack occurred at the end of a community football match, when the gunmen reportedly arrived at the venue and began shooting indiscriminately at players and spectators. Ten people were pronounced dead at the scene, while an eleventh victim later died from injuries sustained in the attack after being taken to hospital.
César Prieto, the mayor of Salamanca, said the shooting formed part of what he described as a worsening “crime wave” in the city. In a statement shared on social media, Prieto appealed directly to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for urgent federal assistance to restore security and protect residents.
According to local officials, at least 12 people were wounded in the shooting, including a woman and a child. Emergency services rushed to the scene as panic spread among spectators, while armed police units secured the area and launched a manhunt for the attackers.
Images from the scene showed heavily armed officers stationed outside the football ground, as authorities cordoned off the area for forensic investigations. Witnesses described scenes of chaos as players and fans attempted to flee the venue amid the sound of gunfire.
The Guanajuato state prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigation had been opened and said it was coordinating with federal authorities to reinforce security in Salamanca and surrounding communities. Officials did not immediately disclose a motive for the attack or confirm whether any arrests had been made.
Mayor Prieto said criminal groups operating in the region were attempting to intimidate local authorities and communities but vowed that the violence would not succeed in undermining governance. “Unfortunately, there are criminal groups trying to subjugate authorities, something they are not going to achieve,” he said.
Guanajuato has emerged in recent years as one of Mexico’s most violent states, recording the highest number of homicides nationwide last year. The violence has been largely driven by a bitter turf war between the Santa Rosa de Lima gang and the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the country’s most notorious criminal organisations.
Salamanca, an industrial city with a major oil refinery, has repeatedly been affected by cartel-related violence, including attacks on businesses, security forces and public spaces.
Despite increased security operations in the past, residents say daily life continues to be overshadowed by fear.
Sunday’s shooting has once again raised concerns about safety at public sporting and recreational events, which are often seen as rare spaces of normalcy in communities affected by organised crime.
Football matches, in particular, play a central role in social life across Mexico, drawing families, friends and young people together.
The attack also comes amid renewed debate over the effectiveness of Mexico’s security strategy. While the federal government has reported a decline in the national murder rate, critics argue that violence remains deeply entrenched in several regions, particularly in states where criminal groups compete for territory and control of lucrative illegal activities.
Mexico’s government says the national homicide rate in 2025 fell to 17.5 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, the lowest level recorded since 2016.
However, independent analysts and human rights groups have cautioned that official figures may not fully reflect the scale of violence, pointing to underreporting and regional disparities.
Residents of Salamanca expressed shock and anger following the attack, with many calling for stronger security measures and a greater police presence around public venues. Community leaders warned that repeated attacks risk eroding trust and social cohesion in already traumatised areas.
Federal authorities have not yet announced whether additional military or National Guard units will be deployed to Salamanca, but officials indicated that discussions were ongoing with state and municipal leaders to prevent further incidents.
As investigations continue, the shooting has become one of the deadliest attacks on a sporting event in Mexico in recent years, underscoring the persistent threat posed by organised crime even in everyday civilian settings.
The tragedy has renewed calls for coordinated action between local, state and federal authorities, as well as broader efforts to address the root causes of violence, including poverty, corruption and the influence of criminal networks.
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For many residents, the attack serves as another painful reminder of the insecurity gripping parts of the country, as families mourn the victims of a football match that was meant to bring people together but instead ended in bloodshed.
