Shooting Kills Five, Injures 15 on Final Night of Mexico’s BPM Festival

Reports have surfaced that shots have been fired at Mexico’s BPM Festival in Playa Del Carmen. According to reports, a gunmen entered the Blue Parrot around 2:30 AM during Elrow’s final party of the 10-day long festival and proceeded to open fire, allegedly killing up to four or more people. BPM released a statement confirming the tragic events, read below.

BPM has released on official statement on the situation:

“It is with great sadness to share that police have confirmed reports of a lone shooter outside the Blue Parrot nightclub in Playa Del Carmen earlier today, which resulted in four fatalities and twelve injured. The violence began on 12th street in front of the club and three members of the BPM security team were among those whose lives were lost while trying to protect patrons inside the venue.

The BPM Festival has been working closely with the local authorities (Seguridad Publica / Policia Turistica) throughout the festival to ensure public safety and security for all visitors. We are overcome with grief over this senseless act of violence and we are cooperating fully with local law enforcement and government officials as they continue their investigation.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families and all those affected by these tragic events.”

No arrests have been made.

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UPDATE: The Associated Press is now reporting the death toll is up to 5 and 15 people have been injured. Authorities do not believe terrorism is involved. AP reports that 20 bullet casings have been discovered from three different pistols on the scene. Among those dead are two security guards who worked for the Blue Parrot.

In an interview with a Milenio TV station, the director of police in the state of Quintana Roo, Rodolfo Del Angel, was quoted saying the shootings happened due to “a disagreement between people inside” the Blue Parrot and said that security guards were shot at after attempted to quell the situation.

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Wax Motif detailed his first-hand experience on his Twitter:

Gunmen opened fire at Blue Parrot in Playa Del Carmen at BPM . Hope everyone is safe and stay off the streets please ????????

— Wax Motif (@WaxMotif) January 16, 2017

Gunmen opened fire at Blue Parrot in Playa Del Carmen at BPM . Hope everyone is safe and stay off the streets please ????????

— Wax Motif (@WaxMotif) January 16, 2017

Me and my crew are safe. It happened right in front of us. I still can’t believe that was real

— Wax Motif (@WaxMotif) January 16, 2017

Guy 5m in front of us got shot. We all jumped the fence to get out and saw at least 4 bodies down on the escape. #BlueParrot

— Wax Motif (@WaxMotif) January 16, 2017

We ran down the beach cos we saw bodies in the alleyway next to club then another gunman started charging down on us from up the beach

— Wax Motif (@WaxMotif) January 16, 2017

We managed to find a route back to our apartment and have been letting random people take refuge at ours for the night

— Wax Motif (@WaxMotif) January 16, 2017

Photographer DonsLens detailed his personal experience as well:

i was at the shooting at #blueparrot at #bpmfestival i heard 5 rounds of a .22 semi auto then a pause then 3 more rounds

— donslens (@DonsLens) January 16, 2017

the #blueparrot security at #bpmfestival stood up for us when there was gunfire they are the real heroes

— donslens (@DonsLens) January 16, 2017

in the artist area and everyone remained calm and found safe ground and the #blueparrot security guards went to the gunfire to keep us safe

— donslens (@DonsLens) January 16, 2017

playa del carmen is not safe at all i will not be returning to #bpmfestival ever again

— donslens (@DonsLens) January 16, 2017

fyi #bpmfestival #blueparrot the cops took FOREVER to get there also… all the stories are not corroborating to what was actually there

— donslens (@DonsLens) January 16, 2017

We’re sending endless positive thoughts and vibes to those effected by these horrific events <3

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Photo Credit: Resident Advisor

Shooting Kills Five, Injures 15 on Final Night of Mexico’s BPM Festival