The Gulf cartel apologized Thursday after two U.S. citizens were killed in an armed abduction last week in Mexico.
The cartel condemned the violence in a letter obtained by The Associated Press and said they had turned over members who were involved. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News that U.S. authorities believe the letter is legitimate.
“The Gulf Cartel Grupo Escorpiones strongly condemns the events of Friday, March 3 in which unfortunately an innocent working mother died and four American citizens were kidnapped, of which two died,” a translation of the letter says. “For this reason, we have decided to hand over those involved and directly responsible for the events who at all times acted under their own determination and indiscipline and against the rules in which the CDG has always operated.”
Four Americans were shot at and kidnapped after they drove into Matamoros, Mexico, just south of Brownsville, Texas, for a medical procedure. Video showed a gunman dragging people into a white pickup truck, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the matter has said.
Tamaulipas state Gov. Américo Villarreal said at a news conference that a woman, identified by her family as LaTavia Washington McGee, and a man, Eric Williams, survived the kidnapping.
Both were taken to a clinic for medical treatment and returned to the U.S. by an international bridge between Matamoros and Brownsville.
McGee’s mother said she had spoken to her daughter, and Williams’ wife said he had been shot in the leg but was back in the U.S.
Zalandria Brown of Florence, South Carolina, told The Associated Press that her younger brother, Zindell, was among the four victims. Aliyah McCleod, McGee’s cousin, identified another member of the group as Shaeed Woodard.
On Thursday, the remains of Woodard and Brown were handed over to U.S. authorities in Brownsville, the AP reported.
More coverage of deadly Mexico abduction
McCleod said the group is from South Carolina and had been traveling in…
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