Gunmen in armored vehicles attacked a state prison across the border from El Paso early Sunday, killing 10 guards and four inmates, prosecutors said.
Several armed vehicles arrived at the Ciudad Juárez state prison around 7 am and opened fire on the guards, the Chihuahua state prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
Mexican soldiers stand guard outside a state prison in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. Mexican soldiers and state police officers regained control of a state prison in Ciudad Juárez across the border from El Paso, Texas, after violence broke out early Sunday. according to state officials.
(AP Photo/Christian Chavez)
Amid the chaos, another 13 people were injured and at least 24 inmates escaped.
Mexican soldiers and state police regained control of the prison later on Sunday. The state attorney’s office said its staff was investigating.
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The state prison was the scene of a riot in August that spilled over into the streets of Juárez and left nearly a dozen people dead.
In that case, two inmates were killed inside the prison and then suspected gang members began shooting into the town, even killing four radio station employees who were doing a restaurant promotion.
The Mexican National Guard stands guard outside a state prison in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. Mexican soldiers and state police officers regained control of a state prison in Ciudad Juárez across the border from El Paso, Texas, after violence broke out early Sunday. according to state officials.
(AP Photo/Christian Chavez)
Violence is common in Mexican prisons, even in some where authorities maintain only nominal control. Clashes regularly break out between inmates of rival gangs, who in places like Juárez serve as proxies for drug cartels.
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Shortly before Sunday’s attack on the prison, municipal policemen were attacked and captured four men after a chase, according to a statement from the state prosecutor’s office. Police later killed two suspected gunmen who were traveling in a van.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
