SLRC, Sonora: Possible El Ruso Men Arrested for Shooting Up Gambling Dens and Killing Two

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A few minutes after this shooting, a second shooting occurred, this time at another “clandestine casino” located on 22nd Street, near Tamaulipas Avenue. The hitmen fled the scenes after their shooting ended. Chaos ensued at both locations, with many people fleeing the properties in a panic.

Nuevamente nuestras familias viviendo bajo el terror d las ráfagas d armas d alto poder a escasos metros d casinos clandestinos q el alcalde @SantosGonzalezY nunca mandó investigar siquiera,hoy #SLRC vive bajo miedo @elalbertomedina @Chaposoto @michelleriveraa @netomunro pic.twitter.com/wNrlE6WxLz

— Ing. Luis Felipe Guzmán G. (@Lfgg536) May 27, 2021

Multiple individuals were seriously injured inside this establishment as well. Police arrived first at the scenes, followed by Red Cross paramedics. In total, two people died from the attacks and five people were injured, some of them seriously so. The injured persons were taken to various hospitals for medical treatment.       

When the two shootings were reported to authorities a “Code Red” was triggered and patrols were sent out to surveill the surrounding area. Based on an eye witness description of a vehicle used by the attackers, police identified a suspicious vehicle in the area. A man and a woman could be seen inside in the front seat of the vehicle. They tried to pull the vehicle over but the vehicle refused to stop for police. 

They led the police on a high speed chase through the city. They also fired weapons at police patrol cars that were pursuing them. The chase took them out of the city of San Luis Río and at the small town of Islita on the outskirts, the suspects were caught and shot by police. 

The next day, at 8:41pm on May 27 2021, police received a report that multiple armed men were seen in the Mezquite neighborhood. This report triggered a “Code Red” protocol for State and Municipal police who travelled to the location reported. In a Camelias B Ave alley, between 19th and 20th Street, police found three suspects. The three suspects tried to flee the area by vehicle when they noticed the presence of police but officers were able to block their escape.

Police apprehended the driver of the vehicle, Dagoberto “N” (age 34), inside a Chevrolet Malibu with Arizona license plates. Also inside the vehicle was Salvador “N” (age 37) and Vicente “N” (age 62). The vehicle was searched. Police found two 5.56 caliber firearms, one .223 caliber firearm, ammunition and 3 portable radios. The men were arrested on possession of weapons for the exclusive use of the Armed forces charges. 

The three men are being investigated currently for their probable participation in the two attacks on clandestine casinos. Local media Sonora Violento claims the men arrested are a part of the cartel group of Los Rusos, a CDS cell led by Jesus Alexander Sanchez Felix, alias “El Ruso” who is known for primarily operating in neighboring Mexicali. There is no official confirmation of the men’s connection to Los Rusos. The detainees and the weapons seized from them were turned over to the Federal Attorney General’s Office for probable federal crimes. Meanwhile the Sonora State Attorney General’s Office is currently investigating them for state level crimes.

Of note, a very similar shooting occured in San Luis Río Colorado on May 10 2021 at a casino in Plaza La Herradura.

Sources: El Imparcial Article 1, El Imparcial Article 2, Proyecto Puente, Opinión Sonora, Tribuna de San Luis Article 1, Tribuna de San Luis Article 2, Canal 66, Despierta Sonora Facebook Site with Claims, Meganoticias, Sonora Violento 

May 10 Shooting Sources: El Imparcial

Photo Credit: Alberto Sanchez @sanchezmares85