A 14-year-old boy nicknamed “El Chapito” has been arrested in Mexico for killing eight people around Mexico City, as reported by NBC 5 DFW.
Mexican authorities did not release the boy’s name. The child’s nickname, “Little Chapo,” is in reference to former drug kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. “El Chapo” is currently serving a life sentence in a “supermax” prison in Colorado following his 2019 conviction for drug trafficking and money laundering among other charges.
The incident took place near Mexico City in the suburb of Chimalhuacan on January 22 and appeared to be a drug-related killing, according to the Mexican authorities. Several other people were also arrested on drug-related charges.
The boy allegedly rode a motorcycle to the suburb and opened fire on a family during a birthday party. Five adults and two children were among those left wounded in the attack.
Mexican authorities have not yet released details of a motive, but Mexico’s violent drug gangs often carry out kidnappings and conduct contract killings.
This incident is not the first time a child or juvenile has made headlines for killing in Mexico.
Soldiers detained a 14-year-old boy nicknamed “El Ponchis” in 2010.
“El Ponchis” claimed he was kidnapped at 11 years old and forced to participate in decapitations. After serving a three-year sentence, “El Ponchis” was ultimately released in 2013.
As the drug war continues in Mexico, back in the United States, law enforcement continues its fight against the deadly drug fentanyl.
In the DFW area, federal and local authorities recently worked together to arrest 18-year-old Stephen Paul Brinson, who authorities believe to be the source of the fentanyl overdoses in Flower Mound.
This news comes as Dallas continues to see an increase in violent crime. Murder rates have increased by roughly 25% since last year, according to the Dallas Police Department’s Daily Crime Brief.