Gunfire erupted at a gathering just north of the US-Mexico border in Arizona late Saturday night, leaving two young men dead and five others seriously injured.
Two people are dead and five others were injured in a shooting Saturday night in Yuma, Arizona, police say. https://t.co/mLfYslA78y
— NBC News (@NBCNews) May 14, 2023
The tragic incident reportedly occurred at about 10:54 p.m. when the Yuma Police Department received a report of gunshots in the 3800 block of South J. Edward Drive. Upon arrival, responding officers discovered the victims, all males between the ages of 15 and 20, had been caught in the crossfire of the unidentified assailants.
According to Fox News, the fatal victims were identified as a 19-year-old and a 20-year-old, both of whom succumbed to their injuries at the Yuma Regional Medical Center. A 16-year-old boy, in critical condition, was urgently flown to Phoenix for specialized medical care.
The remaining four injured individuals, aged 15, 16, 18, and 19, are expected to recover from their wounds.
The motive behind the violent incident remains unknown, as the community has been left in a state of shock and uncertainty. Yuma Police Lieutenant Craig Johnson confirmed that no suspects have been apprehended at this time. However, Johnson assured the public that there is no threat to the safety of the community, promising that the department is determined to uncover the circumstances surrounding the shooting and get justice for the victims and their families.
The incident comes after Yuma Mayor Douglas Nicholls complained of an immigrant surge at the border. Speaking to Fox News on Friday, Nicholls warned residents about the release of several migrants by the US Border Patrol into the city after the expiration of Title 42.
“Border Patrol in the Yuma sector has been near record number of interdictions. Yesterday was 1,550 people that they interdicted. They’re over capacity by a significant amount, and they are starting released onto the streets,” Nicholls said.
“We had 100 plus or minus this morning, and then this afternoon we’re looking at about another 150 in the area,” he added.
The mayor also sent a letter to President Joe Biden, requesting that he address the migrant crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border by declaring a national emergency.
