Armed attack and police chase leave six dead in Morelos

A violent armed attack on civilians followed by a shootout with police has left six people dead in Tlaltizapan, Morelos. Among the deceased are three police officers, two of whom died after being transported to a hospital with severe injuries. The attack also claimed the lives of a man and a woman present at the scene, with another individual dying at the hospital.

These are the first police casualties in Morelos since General José Luis Bucio Quiroz assumed leadership of the State Security and Citizen Protection Secretariat exactly one month prior. The incident began around 8 p.m. when armed individuals opened fire on a group of people, causing widespread panic. The attackers reportedly fled in a white compact vehicle.

Following the attack, a police operation led to a pursuit and a subsequent armed confrontation with the criminal group. Authorities later detained several individuals in the town of Temilpa Viejo, who are believed to be connected to the events. The Morelos State Attorney General's Office is investigating the case and has begun collecting the bodies.

Tlaltizapan has seen a rise in criminal activity since Nancy Gómez Flores of the Green Ecologist Party of Mexico took office as mayor.