Authorities Identify Victim, Launch Manhunt for Perpetrators; Travel Advisory Warns Against Nighttime Travel to Sonora
In a shocking and disturbing incident that has left the community reeling, Nicholas Douglas Quets, a 31-year-old US Marine Corps veteran, was fatally shot on Friday night while traveling through the volatile region of northwest Sonora. The shooting occurred near Altar, Sonora, at kilometer 74 of Federal Highway 2, between Altar and Caborca.
According to the Sonora Attorney General’s Office, a vehicle pulled up alongside Quets’ pickup truck and opened fire in a direct attack. The victim had been traveling from Nogales to Puerto Peñasco with friends when the incident occurred. The shooting is believed to have taken place after an armed group attempted to stop his vehicle at a checkpoint, but it did not stop.
This latest incident has sparked renewed concerns about safety on Federal Highway 2, which has seen several violent incidents in recent months. In December, a US resident was killed and two others were wounded in a similar shooting on the same highway. In August, two Arizona women ages 72 and 82 were found fatally shot in their overturned vehicle while traveling from Lukeville to Caborca.
The Sonora law enforcement launched a massive search operation after the latest shooting but came under fire from criminal elements over the weekend. Mexican security forces were eventually able to locate the aggressors, and four shooters were neutralized. Authorities also seized five AK47 rifles, four tactical vests, and ammunition during the operation.
The U.S. State Department has identified Quets as a US citizen and expressed its condolences to his family and loved ones. The department has also issued a travel advisory for Sonora, warning travelers against nighttime travel due to crime and kidnapping.
“Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks,” the advisory says. “Violent crime is widespread. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Travelers should maintain a heightened level of awareness of their surroundings in all their travels in Sonora.”
The community has been left shaken by this tragic incident, and local residents are warning against traveling through the region at night. The incident highlights the growing concern about safety on Mexican highways and the need for increased security measures to protect travelers.
Recommendations: Travelers to Sonora should exercise extreme caution when traveling through the region, especially at night. They should also be aware of their surroundings and avoid stopping at unauthorized checkpoints. The US State Department recommends using Highway 8, which is considered a safer route, when traveling to Puerto Peñasco. Travelers are advised to check the latest travel advisory from the U.S. State Department before planning their trip.
Source: Tucson.com
