Published
Mon, Jan 16, 2017, 09:08
- Another 15 people were injured in the incident, which took place in the early hours of Monday morning.
A gunman has opened fire at a BPM Festival closing party in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, with local police confirming five deaths and 15 injuries.
The shooting took place at Blue Parrot, which was the scene of a festival closing party hosted by Elrow. Four people died in the attack, while the fifth victim—a woman—died in the stampede that followed. "The violence began on 12th street in front of the club and three members of the BPM security team were among those whose lives were lost while trying to protect patrons inside the venue," a statement from BPM Festival reads.
An eyewitness told RA they heard "upwards of 10 or 20 shots. Sounded like fire crackers. Everyone stopped to see what was going on and I just saw people looking in one direction on the dance floor. Then screams and everyone just ran. I was in the booth and everyone there ran out the back. Ended up in a hotel lobby then ran again, walking and someone screamed so we ran again. It happened at the entrance. Just outside the Pioneer studio. At the second check-point before you go in."
Speaking to the BBC, Quintana Roo's Attorney-General, Miguel Angel Pech, confirmed that two Canadians, an Italian and a Colombian are among the dead. According to local police chief Rodolfo del Angel, the shooting was sparked "by a disagreement between individuals inside the club."
BPM, meanwhile, has shut down all of the closing parties. Read their statement in full.
More information as we have it.