Two elderly women from Arizona, aged 72 and 82, were tragically killed on a notorious stretch of highway in Mexico last week, according to statements from prosecutors. The victims, discovered around 10:30 a.m. on Friday, were found in an overturned white Nissan Pathfinder peppered with bullet holes. The vehicle was located on the side of the Sonoyta-Caborca highway, in proximity to a Mexican border town, as reported by the Sonora attorney general’s office.
Authorities discovered four AK-47 rifles while conducting a search for the suspects. The victims, identified only by their first names, Enedina and Ubaldina, held dual US-Mexican citizenship, according to a security source who spoke to Reuters. The women were originally from Caborca, as per the information provided by the prosecutors.
During the search operation for the assailants, investigators discovered a navy blue Ford F-150 truck, which had been reported stolen. The vehicle contained a stash of magazines and cartridges, four AK-47 rifles, and three ballistic vests, according to the prosecutor’s office.
In response to the incident, security forces from three levels of government immediately launched an operation to locate and apprehend the responsible criminal group. This operation was supported by specialized air and ground forces, as stated by Sonora state prosecutors. However, no arrests have been made so far.
The State Department confirmed to the Arizona Republic that the victims were US citizens and that they are closely monitoring the situation. A spokesperson expressed their deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.
The highway where the victims were found is located near the town of Sonoyta in the state of Sonora, an area that has been riddled with violence. Last year, a graduate student from California was shot to death in his SUV in the northwest state of Sonora. The State Department has previously issued warnings to Americans to reconsider travel to Sonora due to high levels of crime and kidnapping.