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By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Two unidentified individuals have been confirmed killed in ongoing gunfights in Reynosa in Tamaulipas, according to Mexican private news accounts, official government news releases and English language news accounts.
The Tamaulipas state Procuraduria General de Justicia del Estado or attorney general released a press statement Monday saying that much of the fighting in Reynosa has taken place between rival armed groups. Fighting has taken place near the intersection of Bulevar Hidalgo and Avenida Cima near an unidentified convenience store at around 2300 hrs.
An unidentified child was hit and killed by stray gunfire while the child's father was also hit but survived.
At 2323 hrs a taxi driver was found shot to death near the Libramiento de Matamoros and Periférico bridge. The victim was identified as José Luis Vargas Hernandez, 37, who had been shot once in the neck. The report hints Vargas Hernandez was a victim of stray gunfire as well.
The report also said that 22 vehicles were seized by state and local police and seven unidentified suspects were detained.
According to web and social media reports, much of the fighting was between rival factions of the Gulf Drug Cartel. The worst of the fighting took place Sunday, but began Saturday morning when armed suspects stole cars from six car dealerships in Reynosa.
The main fighting occurred Sunday, when a six hour long firefight took place in Rosalinda Guerrero, Vista Hermosa colonies and near the children's hospital (Hospital Materno Infantile).
Roadblocks were put up by rival factions in several locations in the city with as many as 30 vehicles disabled to block roads. According to an account which appeared on BorderlandBeat.com, several vehicle convoys carrying armed suspects have been spotted in various locations in Reynosa.
Some social media have reported as many as 50 dead, but only two of those have been confirmed by officials.
Mexican Army and marine troops in the area are said to be attempting to clear roads amid the fighting.
Chris Covert writes Mexican Drug War and national political news for Rantburg.com