Five dead in shooting rampage at BPM Festival in Mexico
At least five people were killed and 15 wounded when gunfire erupted at a music festival in the Mexican coastal resort of Playa del Carmen early Monday, police said.
Rodolfo Del Angel, police chief in the state of Quintana Roo, told the Milenio TV station the shooting was the result of “a disagreement between people inside” the Blue Parrot nightclub, adding that security guards drew fire when they tried to contain the dispute, the Associated Press reported.
Four people were detained, but the status of the shooter or shooters was not immediately clear.
Miguel Angel Pech, the attorney general of Quintana Roo, said four of the dead — two Canadians, an Italian and a Colombian — appear to have been part of the security detail at the festival, AP reported. Pech, who said it was not a terrorist attack, said 20 bullet casings from three different pistols were found at the scene. He said five of the injured, including two U.S. citizens, were treated and released from local hospitals, AP reported.
The lone female victim was apparently killed during a stampede toward the club's exits, according to AP.
The BPM Festival released a statement earlier saying four people were killed and 12 wounded by a "lone gunman."
"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," the statement said.
The statement said festival organizers had been working closely with local authorities to ensure safety throughout the 10-day festival.
"We are overcome with grief over this senseless act of violence and we are cooperating fully with local law enforcement and government officials as they continue their investigation," the statement said.
Scottish disc jockey Jackmaster, who was scheduled to perform at the Festival, indicated on Twitter that he was in the club when the shooting started. He said four or five people were killed and many wounded.
"This is a very very sad situation. Tryna get my head around it still. Thoughts and condolences to all affected," he tweeted.
Sharam Tayebi, a DJ and music producer from Washington, D.C., said on Twitter that he was at the Blue Parrot at around midnight but left shortly before the shooting.
"The staff and security people at BPM are the most professional and nicest i've seen and worked with. Really sad to wake up to this news," he tweeted.
Marcos Vazquez, from El Paso, told NBC News he was with his girlfriend at the nearby La Vaquita nightclub when he saw people running by. He said he ran into the bathroom and locked himself inside with eight other people for five minutes, then headed outside and took a taxi away from the scene.
The BPM Festival is an annual 10 day and night electronic music festival in Playa Del Carmen. Sunday was the event's closing night.
"This global gathering of DJs, producers, revelers and industry professionals has become a must for any music lover with a discerning taste for quality electronic dance music," the festival says on its podcast website.
Playa del Carmen is a popular tourist mecca and diving destination located along the Yucatán Peninsula's Riviera Maya strip. The resort town is known for its palm-lined beaches and coral reefs.