Mexico arrests 2 more in 2019 ambush killing of 9 Americans

In this 2019 file photo, people attend the funeral of Dawna Ray Langford, 43, and her sons Trevor, 11, and Rogan, 2, who were killed by drug cartel gunmen in La Mora, Sonora state, Mexico, Nov. 7, 2019 | Associated Press photo by Marco Ugarte, St. George News

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican prosecutors said Sunday they have arrested two more suspects in the 2019 killings of nine U.S.-Mexican dual citizens near the northern border.

In this 2019 file photo, people carry a coffin during the funeral of victims killed by drug cartel gunmen in La Mora, Sonora state, Mexico, Nov. 7, 2019 | Associated Press photo by Marco Ugarte, St. George News

Federal prosecutors identified the suspects only by their first names, “Wilbert” and “Tomás,” in line with presumption-of-innocence rules. The first faces several counts of homicide and the second faces organized crime charges.

They bring to about 20 the number of suspects arrested in the case, and more warrants are outstanding. Both were arrested in the town of Nuevas Casa Grandes, near the border with New Mexico.

The three women and six children from the extended Langford, LeBarón and Miller families were ambushed and slain by suspected drug gang assassins on Nov. 4, 2019. Some of the families have roots in Southern Utah.

Initial investigations suggested a squad of gunmen from a drug gang that originated in the border city of Ciudad Juarez set up the ambush to kill members of a rival cartel. However, relatives of the victims say that at some point, the gunmen must have known who they were killing.

Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

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