On January 19, 2024, the violence in Culiacán, Sinaloa, escalated to alarming new heights after armed assailants opened fire on the Sarmiento Ruiz family. The attack occurred as Antonio de Jesús, 41, was driving with his two sons, Gael and Alexander, aged 12 and 9, through the Los Ángeles neighborhood, about six kilometers from the city center. When the family attempted to evade the attackers, the assailants retaliated with gunfire, killing Antonio on the spot and leaving Gael and Alexander critically injured.
The tragic event has drawn widespread outrage, culminating in protests throughout Culiacán, where citizens rallied under the banner “With the Children, No!” This phrase became the rallying cry during peaceful demonstrations, centering on the need for justice for the Sarmiento Ruiz family, which is only one of the many casualties of the relentless conflicts fueled by drug cartels operating within the region.
According to reports, the assault was not simply random violence; it was tied to the current wave of narcotrafficking warfare occurring due to the strife between factions of the Sinaloa cartel, especially following the arrest of notorious figures like Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. The crisis deepened when the authorities announced their initial findings suggested the attack might have been accidental, prompted by mistaken identity or circumstances tied to the heavily tinted windows of the family vehicle, which may have hindered the assailants' visibility and motivation.
Victor Manuel Aispuro, director of the primary school Alexander attended, expressed the community’s collective grief and indignation, stating, “They attacked what we love most, which are the children.” Aispuro helped to organize the march to the state government’s palace, which aimed to demand accountability and bring attention to the societal issues stemming from violent crime.
The aftermath of the incident drew attention not only to the immediate victims but also galvanized hundreds of citizens to march dressed in white to signify peace and loss. Upon reaching the government palace, the crowd’s intensity grew as they faced officers guarding the premises, shouting demands for the governor, Rubén Rocha Moya, to address them directly. Eyewitness accounts described how tensions escalated, resulting in the vandalization of government property as protesters reportedly sought justice for the children.
After enduring the horror of witnessing her family attacked, the mother of Alexander and Gael, surrounded by supporters, unsuccessfully sought to meet with Governor Rocha Moya. Heartbroken and desperate, she called for her supporters to remain calm, urging them to focus on the call for peace rather than anger.
Meanwhile, reports emerged on the nature of emergency medical responses during and after the shooting; the Secretary of Health for Sinaloa, Cuitláhuac González, revealed the local hospital was not adequately prepared to handle the injuries sustained by the children. He noted, “The general hospital of Culiacán does not fully operate, and it cannot manage emergencies requiring high blood volumes.” This deficiency potentially worsened the casualties, as immediate medical attention was delayed.
Tragically, both Gael and Alexander later succumbed to their injuries after undergoing surgery for their severe wounds, igniting more outrage as the community sought answers. Adolfo, the boys’ 17-year-old cousin who was also present during the attack, remained hospitalized but was reported as stable.
Feliciano Castro, Secretary of State Government of Sinaloa, provided comments later reflecting on the public unrest, acknowledging the community’s frustration and calling for unity as they seek to build peace together. “We understand the emotions stirred by this incident,” he said, reinforcing the urgency of tackling such violence anew and promising thorough investigations.
On January 23, citizens gathered again to reiterate their calls for change, marking significant unrest since the incident. The protests were peaceful at first; yet as dissatisfaction mounted, various clashes occurred when demonstrators expressed disenchantment with state authorities. Shouting chants such as “assassins” and “Rocha out!”, their anger reflected growing disillusionment with the government’s responses to the surge of violence and its failure to safeguard its citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.
The government has since vowed to step up law enforcement efforts and address the underlying issues of public safety. New measures have been proposed, including tighter regulations against vehicles with dark tints, based on the notion these features assist criminals. Security officials stated the intention is to improve transparency during law enforcement activities, thereby allowing police to identify occupants more readily.
Initial investigations are underway, led by the Federal Security and Citizen Protection Secretaries, to determine the precise motivations and perpetrators behind the attack. Community organizations continue to amplify their pleas for peace and safety, urging officials to prioritize the fundamental rights of their citizens to live free from violence.
The heartbreaking fate of Alexander and Gael exemplifies the tragic consequences of the rampant violence afflicting Culiacán, and the increasing calls for justice echo beyond the streets of Sinaloa, compelling national conversations about the broader patterns of violence driven by drug-related conflicts. Communities across Mexico are rallying together, noting, collectively, “This must end.”