Two Arizona women were tragically killed in an armed assault while traveling in northern Mexico on Friday, according to Mexican authorities. The victims, identified as 72-year-old Enedina N. and 82-year-old Ubaldina N., were found deceased in their overturned vehicle on the Sonoyta-Caborca highway. The white Nissan Pathfinder they were traveling in was riddled with bullets, indicating the severity of the attack.
The women were reportedly en route to their hometown of Caborca, a city located over 100 miles southwest of the U.S.-Mexico border, when they were ambushed by armed assailants. The Sonora Attorney General’s Office confirmed the incident in a news release, noting that the vehicle had overturned due to the attack.
Following the discovery, a coordinated search effort was launched by several agencies, including the Sonora National Guard. The search led authorities to the town of Quitovac, situated more than 60 miles northwest of Caborca. There, they found a discarded blue Ford F150, believed to belong to the attackers. The vehicle, which was reported stolen, contained firearms, ammunition, magazine calibers, and bulletproof vests.
Despite the recovery of this evidence, the armed assailants remain at large, and an investigation is ongoing. The Sonora Attorney General’s Office is actively pursuing leads and has vowed to share further details as they become available.
The U.S. State Department has also weighed in on the tragic incident. A spokesperson confirmed the deaths of the two women, one of whom was a lawful permanent resident of the United States, while the other held American citizenship. The State Department expressed their deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, emphasizing that they are closely monitoring the situation. However, they declined to provide further comments at this time.
As the investigation unfolds, both Mexican and U.S. authorities are working together to uncover the circumstances surrounding this brutal attack and to bring those responsible to justice. The tragic loss of these two Arizona women has sparked concern and sadness on both sides of the border.