Two people were shot dead after gunmen opened fire at a popular five-star hotel and forced guests into hiding.
On Thursday afternoon, at around 3 pm, guests of Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun in Mexico were forced to shelter in place after gunmen started shooting at the 5-star tourist destination popular among Americans.
According to the reports, two people were shot dead after gunmen armed with machine guns started shooting. It is believed that both of the victims were members of a drug-dealing group.
The police have since confirmed that “there are no seriously injured or kidnapped tourists” and that the shooting was likely a result of conflict between two rival gangs.
Meanwhile, terrified tourists opened up about the violent encounter and recalled how they ran for their lives and did everything in their power to stay safe.
“[We] manned the entrances to the basement and were given metal sticks, even a pedestal bathroom sink, to defend ourselves,” one traveler said in an interview with CNN.
Another vacationer, Brian Minish Malinconico, spoke to The Daily Beast to recall the time he thought glass broke at the hotel’s restaurant when the first bullets were fired.
“Thought glass broke at a restaurant, then firework sounds, then everyone from the beach [came] running. Got into a room and stayed,” he said.
Several holidaymakers also took to Twitter to announce the news of an active shooter at the prestige resort after they were forced to shelter in place.
“All guests and employees told to duck, and we’re all taken to hiding places at Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun Resort. Active shooter? Terrorist or kidnapping threat? They’re not telling us anything,” NBCUniversal executive Mike Sington tweeted.
Following the shooting, the hotel staff allegedly told the visitors that the perpetrators have been apprehended.
In a statement to DailyMail.com, a spokesperson for Hyatt also confirmed that operations at the hotel have since returned to normal.
“The safety and wellbeing of guests and colleagues is always a top priority. Local authorities have confirmed that the hotel may resume normal operations at Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun,” they said.
“As soon as the situation occurred, the hotel team immediately engaged local authorities who thoroughly investigated the situation. The hotel team took steps in an effort to ensure the safety of guests and colleagues, and further questions may be directed to local authorities.”
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