The Mexico City police chief survived a blatant assassination attempt carried out on Friday morning by men armed with assault weapons and grenades.
According to the report, two bodyguards who protect the head of public security, Omar García Harfuch, were killed in the attack and an innocent bystander.
The mayor of Mexico City, Claudia Sheinbaum, said on Twitter that the head of public security, Omar García Harfuch, was “out of danger” after the incident that took place around 6:30 am, according to Reuters.
The mayor said a large truck with rifle gunmen blocked the chief’s SUV and opened fire, the Associated Press reported.
Police officers arrive at the area where a shooting occurred in Mexico City, Mexico, June 26, 2020. (REUTERS / Henry Romero)
LESTO MEXICAN BOSS POSTER THREATENS THE GOVERNMENT FOR ARRESTING THE MOTHER
The third person who died in the attack was a woman who was passing through the scene.
Sheinbaum said city security cameras recorded the attack.
“We will continue to work in the city” to make it safe, even if it leads to events like this, Sheinbaum said. She declined to speculate on who she suspected was responsible.
Police said in a statement that gunmen armed with .50-caliber sniper rifles and grenades exchanged fire with the chief’s security details. The statement said two policemen were injured.
A Mexico City official said the police chief suffered three gunshot wounds, Reuters reported.
ADOLESCENT FOOTBALL PLAYER MURDERED BY THE MEXICAN POLICE COFFIN’S FINAL OBJECTIVE
Authorities arrested 12 people in connection with the incident, Mexico City Attorney General Ernestina Godoy said, according to Reuters.
An abandoned vehicle believed to have been used by gunmen in an attack on the police chief is sealed with yellow tape and guarded by police, in Mexico City, on Friday, June 26, 2020. Strongly armed gunmen attacked and Omar García Harfuch was wounded in a blatant operation that left an unspecified number of dead, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday. (AP Photo / Marco Ugarte)
Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador blamed the violence on those who opposed the efforts of local officials to establish order in the city.
“It undoubtedly has to do with the work he is carrying out to guarantee peace and tranquility,” said López Obrador.
Those who heard the shots in Lomas de Chapultepec said they lasted several minutes.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The neighborhood is home to many wealthy residents and the location of ambassadorial residences.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
