Chaos erupted at a Walmart store in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, on Saturday, December 7th, as hooded gunmen stormed the establishment, sending shoppers scrambling for cover.
Witnesses described a scene of terror as at least six men,armed with long guns and pistols,raced through the aisles,their faces concealed by black hoods. “I was in a Christmas aisle with my two children and my mother when a man walked down the main hallway with his face covered, hooded, with a long gun,” recounted a shaken shopper named Luna. “What I did was grab the children and crouch them on a stand to protect them.”
The brazen robbery unfolded shortly after 5:30 p.m. at the Walmart located on the corner of francisco Villa and Juan José Torres Landa boulevards in the El tlacuache neighborhood. Customers, including families with young children, dove for cover behind shelves or lay flat on the floor as the armed men shouted and brandished their weapons.
“They put on their balaclavas, they went towards the boxes shouting with long weapons and pistols,” Luna said. “All the security guards began to go forward (the boxes).”
The Walmart alarms blared, and the phrase “code at the checkout” echoed through the store’s speakers, adding to the pandemonium. A security guard stationed at one of the doors recounted a chilling encounter: “Three came out here, one pointed a gun at me and told me ‘you better not do anything.'”
The robbers managed to escape, leaving behind terrified shoppers and shaken employees. While the Security Secretariat of León initially reported the incident as a robbery of a private individual, Walmart officials declined to comment. Municipal Police officers arrived at the scene to investigate.
“We all stayed still in the supermarket until they said into the microphone that everything was under control,” Luna concluded, still visibly shaken by the ordeal.
A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Mexico on Friday evening, sending tremors across the country and prompting evacuations in some areas. The quake, which registered a magnitude of 6.8, hit at approximately 9:20 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The epicenter was located about 29 miles southwest of the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, at a depth of 6.2 miles. While there were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties, authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols.
“We felt a strong shake,and things started swaying,” said Maria Sanchez,a resident of La Paz. “It was scary,but thankfully,everything seems to be okay here.”
The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings for parts of the Mexican Pacific coast, with authorities advising residents in low-lying areas to move to higher ground. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a bulletin stating that “hazardous tsunami waves are possible” for coasts within 300 kilometers of the epicenter.
Mexico is located in a seismically active region, and earthquakes are relatively common. Though, the intensity and proximity of this quake prompted widespread concern. Emergency services were on high alert,and officials were assessing the situation for any potential damage or aftershocks.
The USGS reported several aftershocks following the initial quake, with magnitudes ranging from 3.0 to 4.5. Experts warned that aftershocks could continue for days or even weeks.
As the night progressed, residents across Mexico shared their experiences on social media, with many expressing relief that the damage appeared to be minimal. However, the full extent of the impact was still being evaluated.
## World Today News Exclusive: Witness Account and Security Analysis of León Walmart Robbery
**Introduction:**
Good evening, and welcome. Tonight, we delve into the terrifying events that unfolded at a Walmart store in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, on Saturday, December 7th. A brazen daylight robbery by heavily armed gunmen sent shoppers fleeing for their lives.joining us tonight is Gabriela Luna, a witness to this horrific incident, and security expert Carlos Ramirez, who will provide insight into the tactics used and the implications for public safety.
**Interview:**
**Sarah Wilson (SW):** Gabriela, thank you for speaking with us tonight. Can you please describe what you saw and how you felt during the robbery?
**gabriela Luna (GL):** It was pure terror, Sarah. I was shopping in the Christmas aisle with my two young children and my mother when we saw a man in a black hood,carrying a long gun,walking down the aisle. My instincts took over, and I grabbed my children and hid them behind a display stand. people were screaming, running, and diving for cover. It felt like something out of a nightmare.
**(SW):** Carlos, as a security expert, what observations can you make about the manner in which the robbery was carried out?
**Carlos Ramirez (CR):** The brazen nature of this robbery is certainly alarming. The fact that these gunmen stormed the store in broad daylight, with their faces masked, and opened fire, demonstrates a disregard for human life and a willingness to use extreme violence.The speed and association suggest they may have planned this meticulously.
**(SW):** Gabriela, you mentioned hearing “code at the checkout” over the loudspeaker. Was there an attempt by the store staff to respond to the situation?
**GL:** Yes, the alarms went off promptly, and we heard the announcement over the loudspeaker. It seemed like the staff were trying to follow some kind of security protocol, but it was clear they were overwhelmed by the situation.
**(SW):** Carlos, do you think this type of incident reflects a broader trend in Mexico?
**CR:** Regrettably, Mexico has witnessed a tragic rise in violence and insecurity in recent years. This robbery, while notably brazen, highlights the vulnerabilities of public spaces and the audacity of criminal organizations. It also raises serious questions about the effectiveness of security measures in large retail establishments.
**(SW):** Gabriela, how are you and your family coping with the trauma of this experiance?
**GL:** Sarah, itS been difficult. My children are still scared,and I find myself constantly looking over my shoulder.
We are all still trying to process what happened.It has shaken our sense of security, and it will likely take time to heal from this.
**(SW):** We thank you both for your valuable insights into this tragic event. We hope that those responsible are brought to justice and that measures are taken to ensure the safety of shoppers and store staff.
**Outro:** The León Walmart robbery serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing Mexico. We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.
