Gunmen killed 11 people and injured at least 20 others during a religious festival in Irapuato, Guanajuato state, Mexico, on Tuesday night, June 24, 2025. The attack occurred during celebrations marking the Nativity of John the Baptist, transforming a community gathering into a scene of violence.
The shooting took place around 11:20 p.m. on Bustamante Street, where locals were eating and dancing to mark the holiday. Bloodstains were visible on the ground and bullet holes marked the walls following the attack. Video footage shared online captured the moment gunfire erupted as people were socializing, causing immediate panic among attendees.
Among those killed was a 17-year-old, along with eight adult men and two women, according to the Guanajuato state prosecutor’s office, which vowed the crime would not go unpunished. A witness described the chaotic scene, stating that “people put the wounded into their cars and rushed to hospital.” The witness requested anonymity due to safety concerns.
Security forces launched an immediate search for the perpetrators of what the Irapuato municipal government characterized as a cowardly act. Officials provided psychological support to those affected by the violence. The municipal government coordinated with personnel from the Secretariat of Citizen Security, the Defence Ministry, the National Guard, and the National Police Force in a joint operation to locate the alleged perpetrators.
President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the shooting as deplorable and announced that authorities had launched an investigation. Speaking at her daily news conference, Sheinbaum described the incident as a confrontation without providing details about the circumstances or victims. Guanajuato state Governor Libia Dennise also condemned the bloodshed and expressed solidarity and condolences to the victims and their families.
The violence was livestreamed on Facebook, with footage showing men, women and families screaming as they were shot at point-blank range. Belongings of victims were scattered on the pavement alongside bullet casings and blood spatter. Among the injured was a two-year-old boy who was reportedly shot in the eye.
The attack highlights the ongoing security challenges in Guanajuato, which despite being a thriving industrial hub and home to popular tourist destinations, ranks as Mexico’s deadliest state due to gang turf wars. The state recorded more than 3,000 murders in 2024, the highest of any Mexican state according to official figures.
Much of the violence in Guanajuato stems from conflict between the Santa Rosa de Lima gang and the Jalisco New Generation cartel, one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Latin America. The Jalisco cartel has been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration. Criminal violence, primarily linked to drug trafficking, has claimed approximately 480,000 lives in Mexico since 2006 and left more than 120,000 people missing.
The bloodshed has continued throughout 2025. In May, investigators discovered 17 bodies in an abandoned house in Guanajuato. Days before that discovery, gunmen killed seven people, including children, in the same state, with officers finding banners containing messages alluding to the Santa Rosa de Lima gang. In February, five women and three men were shot dead in the street in Guanajuato, while security forces clashed with gunmen in January, leaving 10 suspected criminals dead and three police officers injured.
The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist represents a significant holiday for Catholics in Mexico, typically celebrated with community picnics and cookouts along with water-based events reflecting John’s role in baptizing Jesus Christ. The festival traditionally brings communities together for peaceful religious observance, making the violence particularly shocking for residents.
Municipal Police personnel provided psychological care, legal advice, and support to families filing complaints with appropriate authorities to begin the investigation through the Comprehensive Victim Assistance Centre. The municipal government emphasized its commitment to citizens of Irapuato and stated it would not retreat from its mission to restore peace to the city.
The gunmen fled the scene following the attack, and their motivations remain unknown. Authorities continue working with the Guanajuato State Attorney General’s Office to provide necessary information to clarify the incident. The violence generated uncertainty among the population in a region already struggling with high levels of cartel-related criminal activity.
