Photo: Go Fund Me
The person arrested in connection with theambush murdersof 9 U.S. citizens has turned out to not be related to the killings, Mexican authorities say.
On Wednesday, the Agency for Criminal Investigationannouncedthat the suspect — whose name, age, and sex were not released — was found in the town of Agua Prieta, right across the border from Douglas, Arizona.
According to the statement, the suspect was holding two bound and gagged hostages inside a vehicle. Investigators also found four assault rifles and a bulletproof SUV, authorities say.
“A person was arrested in possession of two .223 long guns, a .308 long gun, ten .223 caliber magazines, a .308 full magazine and a 50-gauge Barrett long rifle,” the agency’s statement said in Spanish. “We are investigating the possibility that the person who was arrested had participated in these terrible events.”
But as it turns out, authorities now believe that the arrested person was not connected to the murders,NBC Newsreports.
Christina Langford.Go Fund Me
The victims lived in a Mormon community in northern Mexico, about 100 miles south of the Arizona border. They all left the community at the same time, driving in three separate SUVs. Some of the victims were traveling back to the United States, while others were heading to a neighboring town to attend a wedding.
While the convoy of SUVs was driving on a remote road, they were ambushed and sprayed with gunfire.According to CBS News, the gunmen shot so many bullets that at least one of the SUVs exploded.
A family member, Kendra Lee Miller, tellsNBC Newsthat 8-month old twins were killed in the attack. Eight children survived, Miller says. Some of the survivors are seriously wounded, including a 9-month-old who was shot in the chest and a 4-year-old shot in the back.
Rhonita Miller and her children.Go Fund Me
The victims include Christina Marie Langford Johnson, 29; Dawna Langford, 43; Trevor Langford, 11; and Rogan Langford, 2. Also killed were Rhonita Miller, 30; Howard Miller, 12; Krystal Miller, 10; and the 8-month-old twins, Titus and Tiana Miller.
“Everyone is in so much shock,” said relative Willie Jessop,according to NBC News. “It’s just unbelievable, and there’s just no way to comprehend it.”
Go Fund Me
As of Tuesday evening, a GoFundMe set up for the family had raised nearly $57,000.
Both Mexican and U.S. government officials have vowed to find the people responsible for the murders. There are currently no named suspects, but authorities say they continue to investigate the case.
source: people.com
