Post date: May 09, 2013 9:24:49 PM
A gunman opens fire on five security guards and a state employee outside the Governor's Palace in the drug-ravaged Mexican state of Coahuila.
SALTILLO, COAHUILA (MAY 09, 2013) (VANGUARDIA NEWSPAPER) - A lone gunman opened fire on five guards and a civil servant outside the governor's palace in Mexico's northern border state of Coahuila on Thursday (May 09) morning, authorities reported.
According to officials, the assailant shot at the security personnel and state employee as preparations got underway for an event to celebrate Mothers' Day in the state capital of Saltillo.Governor Ruben Moreira was not at the state government's headquarters at the time of the shooting.
Three of the guards are reported to be in a serious condition at a local hospital.
A security perimeter was quickly deployed around the governor's palace and authorities arrested alleged gunman Jose Maria Segura Gutierrez for carrying out the brazen attack.
With the motive for the attack still unclear, the suspect is undergoing questioning under police custody.
The northern border state of Coahuila has seen a spike in violence in recent years as drug rivals the Sinaloa and Zetas cartels fight for control of lucrative trafficking routes through the state.