A mob in the Mexican tourist city of Taxco brutally beat a woman to death Thursday after suspecting her of kidnapping and killing a young girl. The incident occurred just hours before the city's famous Holy Week procession.
The mob formed following the disappearance of an 8-year-old girl on Wednesday. Her body was discovered on the outskirts of the city early Thursday. Security camera footage showed a woman and a man loading a bundle, believed to be the girl's body, into a taxi.
The mob surrounded the woman's house on Thursday, threatening to drag her out. Police initially took the woman into custody but were unable to prevent the mob from attacking her. The woman was dragged out of a police pickup truck and violently assaulted until she was motionless. She later succumbed to her injuries.
The mayor of Taxco expressed outrage over the incident, stating that three individuals, including the woman and two men, were attacked by the mob. The two men were hospitalized following the assault.
The violent episode overshadowed the traditional Good Friday eve religious procession in Taxco, where hooded participants engage in acts of penitence. The community was left in mourning, with many participants wearing white ribbons to honor the victims.
Mob attacks are unfortunately common in rural Mexico, with previous incidents of vigilante justice reported in various regions. Taxco and Guerrero state have been particularly affected by violence, with drug cartels and gangs exerting control over the local population.
Despite the potential impact on tourism, residents expressed a collective sense of frustration and called for an end to the cycle of violence plaguing their community.
Authorities have yet to provide a comprehensive response to the incident, highlighting the challenges faced by local law enforcement in addressing mob violence and criminal activities in the region.
