Gunmen open fire on convoy crossing into US from Mexico, wounding 3

A group of gunmen attacked a convoy of vehicles traveling into Mexico from the United States, wounding three people, including Americans.

The Associated Press reported that the attack on Saturday occurred on the bridge that connects the town of Miguel Aleman with Roma, Texas, according to the Tamaulipas state security department. The department initially reported that nine people were wounded, but later confirmed that three had suffered from gunshots and another six had panic attacks, the AP reported.

A state official told the AP on the condition of anonymity that the injured included both Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. Jorge Cuéllar, Tamaulipas state security spokesman, told the AP that those injured were brought to U.S. authorities.

Mexico’s National Migration Institute said in a press release that the convoy included 20 people, with 16 Mexicans and four Americans. They were traveling in two vans, a van and a pickup truck.

The convoy was crossing into the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, where violence and crime have become a rising issue in the region. Four Americans were kidnapped earlier this year when crossing into the state, which the State Department has issued a Do Not Travel advisory to due to crime and kidnapping.

“Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico,” the state department’s advisory reads. “The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.”

The Hill has reached out to the State Department for comment.