A member of the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Tamaulipas guards outside its constructing ahead of the transfer of the bodies of two of 4 Americans kidnapped by gunmen to the U.S. border, in Matamoros, Mexico, March 8, 2023.
Daniel Becerril | Reuters
The Gulf cartel apologized Thursday after two Americans were killed during an armed abduction last week in Mexico.
The cartel condemned the violence in a letter obtained by The Associated Press and said they’d turned over members who were involved. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News that U.S. authorities consider the letter is legitimate.
“The Gulf Cartel Grupo Escorpiones strongly condemns the events of Friday, March 3 by which unfortunately an innocent working mother died and 4 Americans were kidnapped, of which two died,” a translation of the letter states. “For that reason, we now have decided at hand over those involved and directly answerable for the events who in any respect times acted under their very own determination and indiscipline and against the principles by which the CDG has all the time operated.”
4 Americans were shot at and kidnapped after driving into Matamoros, Mexico, just south of Brownsville, Texas, for a medical procedure. Video showed a gunman dragging people right into a white pickup, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the matter previously said.
Tamaulipas state Gov. Américo Villarreal said at a news conference that a girl, identified by family as LaTavia Washington McGee, and a person, Eric Williams, survived the kidnapping.
Each were taken to a clinic for medical treatment and returned to the U.S. by a global bridge between Matamoros and Brownsville.
McGee’s mother said she had spoken to her daughter, and Williams’ wife said he had been shot within the leg but was back within the U.S.
Zalandria Brown of Florence, South Carolina, told The Associated Press that her younger brother, Zindell, was among the many 4 victims. Aliyah McCleod, McGee’s cousin, identified one other member of the group as Shaeed Woodard.
McCleod said the group is from South Carolina and had been traveling in a rental vehicle with North Carolina license plates when it entered Matamoros. Williams’ wife described the group as childhood friends.
A fifth person was along for the trip from South Carolina. That traveler got out just before the group reached the border because that person did not have the documentation needed to cross into Mexico, a law enforcement official told NBC News on Wednesday.
That fifth person might be seen riding with the group, in video taken by Williams.
A law enforcement official with knowledge of the matter said a girl within the group had been searching for a cosmetic medical procedure. The official said cartel gunmen targeted the group in a case of mistaken identity.
In its letter, the Gulf Cartel said it respects the “life, tranquility and integrity of the innocent” and apologized to “the society of Matamoros … the affected American individuals, and families.”
“As well as the CDG asks society to stay calm because we’re committed to make sure that these errors attributable to indiscipline aren’t repeated. The guilty parties pays, no matter who they’re,” the letter reads.
A 24-year-old man from Tamaulipas state, identified only as Jose N, “was found guarding the victims” and was arrested, Villarreal said. It isn’t clear what charges he faces.
The State Department issued a “Do Not Travel” for Tamaulipas, noting organized crimes including gun battles, murder and kidnapping are common along the northern and in Ciudad Victoria.
