At Least 9 Americans, Including Twin Infants, Killed in Possible Cartel Attack in Mexico Near AZ Border

Brittany M. Hughes | November 5, 2019
DONATE
Font Size

At least nine Americans, including six children, were reportedly killed Monday during a roadside ambush near the Mexican town of Bavispe, about 100 miles south of the Arizona border, in what victims’ family members are attributing to a drug cartel attack.

According to NBC, victims included Christina Marie Langford Johnson, 29, Dawna Langford, 43, and Trevor Langford, 11, and Rogan Langford, two-and-a-half. Also slain were Rhonita Miller, 30, Howard Miller, 12, Krystal Miller, 10, and 8-month-old twins Titus and Tiana Miller.

Eight others are reported to have survived the attack, including a 9-month-old child was shot in the chest and a 4-year-old who was shot in the back. Their brother, 13-year-old Devin Langford, reportedly walked for miles searching for help after hiding his wounded siblings under some bushes. Nine-year-old Mckenzie Langford also went looking for help, but got lost and walked for hours in the dark before she was found by search parties, NBC reports.

The victims, some of whom reportedly had dual citizenship with both Mexico and the United States, were from Utah and were living in the Mormon community of La Mora. Family members say the group was heading to a Monday wedding in Chihuahua and was traveling in a three-vehicle caravan when they were attacked by gunfire, with one vehicle later set on fire. There have been no official reports as to who was behind the massacre, though family members of the victims say they believe it was a case of mistaken identity by a cartel.

RELATED:Trump: It's Time to 'Wage War' Against Mexican Drug Cartels Accused Of Killing At Least 9 Americans

 

Family members told "CBS This Morning" that the FBI has opened an investigation into the massacre.

ABC6 reports that “As many as 13 other members of La Mora - a decades-old settlement in Sonora state founded as part of an offshoot of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - were missing after the attack on a convoy of three SUVs carrying community members, said a relative who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals.”

donate