Roberto V.
Le surrèalisme, c'est moi
Hi guys, just thought I'd share this story. Today was an interesting day to say the least.
Today at around 6 P.M. I was downstairs watching Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (recommended BTW) when I heard what I thought were firecrackers. As you might know, drug-related violence has been on the rise here in Mexico, especially here in the north, so I thought "Kids should know better that to be throwing firecrackers in the street with the situation as it is, people could mistake the sound for gunshots". I thought nothing of it and I continued watching the movie. Not for long though.
About a minute after those first shots, I heard more gunshots. This time they were unmistakeable. Much closer, probably 9mm. At this point, I headed upstairs, since my front door is made of glass. You can't see inside, but if a bullet were to travel toward's me, I'd be pretty much dead. So I went upstairs to an area between the bedrooms, and just sat there listening. I could hear men yelling, and then came some MUCH louder shots from 2 or more automatic guns. One of my upstairs windows faces the street and was open. The gunfire was seriously loud. Judging from the sound I'm guessing one was a 7.62, most probably an AK-47, and another was a 5.56. There might have been more, and there definitely were quite a few handguns being shot too. At this point I was seriously regretting having returned the Desert Eagle that a friend had let me borrow (I didn't ask to borrow it actually, he just came by my place one day and gave it to me to shoot targets with at his ranch). I wasn't sure if they were going to break into my house to get cover.
This went on for about 15 minutes. Then the marines came and kicked some ass. After it all ended, there was a dead cartel member in the corner of the block, maybe more on the other corner, I didn't look. Fortunately, no civilians were harmed, and my car somehow made it out without any gunshots.
According to the media, it appears like they caught some kingpin, or at least the leader of some local cell of a cartel. A month or two ago, some cartel members were looking for someone in my street too, so it might be related.
Pretty interesting afternoon, huh?
Cheers,
Rob
Today at around 6 P.M. I was downstairs watching Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (recommended BTW) when I heard what I thought were firecrackers. As you might know, drug-related violence has been on the rise here in Mexico, especially here in the north, so I thought "Kids should know better that to be throwing firecrackers in the street with the situation as it is, people could mistake the sound for gunshots". I thought nothing of it and I continued watching the movie. Not for long though.
About a minute after those first shots, I heard more gunshots. This time they were unmistakeable. Much closer, probably 9mm. At this point, I headed upstairs, since my front door is made of glass. You can't see inside, but if a bullet were to travel toward's me, I'd be pretty much dead. So I went upstairs to an area between the bedrooms, and just sat there listening. I could hear men yelling, and then came some MUCH louder shots from 2 or more automatic guns. One of my upstairs windows faces the street and was open. The gunfire was seriously loud. Judging from the sound I'm guessing one was a 7.62, most probably an AK-47, and another was a 5.56. There might have been more, and there definitely were quite a few handguns being shot too. At this point I was seriously regretting having returned the Desert Eagle that a friend had let me borrow (I didn't ask to borrow it actually, he just came by my place one day and gave it to me to shoot targets with at his ranch). I wasn't sure if they were going to break into my house to get cover.
This went on for about 15 minutes. Then the marines came and kicked some ass. After it all ended, there was a dead cartel member in the corner of the block, maybe more on the other corner, I didn't look. Fortunately, no civilians were harmed, and my car somehow made it out without any gunshots.
According to the media, it appears like they caught some kingpin, or at least the leader of some local cell of a cartel. A month or two ago, some cartel members were looking for someone in my street too, so it might be related.
Pretty interesting afternoon, huh?
Cheers,
Rob
Roberto V.
Le surrèalisme, c'est moi
Here are two pictures shot from my bedroom of a helicopter that landed behind my place, across from the parking lot of an apartment building. It was pretty cool to see it flying so close to my bedroom window.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Good to hear that you are fine ! Recently, even the very local newspaper of my hometown in Germany reports frequently about what they call the "drug-war" in some parts of Mexico.
sienarot
Well-known
Man, that's scary. Glad to hear you're alright
ornate_wrasse
Moderator
Yikes! Scary stuff. Glad you survived the shootout. Thanks for the images.
Ellen
Ellen
johannielscom
Snorting silver salts
Glad you're OK. Be safe!
astro8
Well-known
Must of been frightening for you...even more so when you can hear it but can't see it. Glad you're ok.
yanidel
Well-known
I lived in Monterrey for a year about 12 years ago. It was a quiet and fun city then. It saddens me to see what it has become. Good nothing happened to you.
Roberto V.
Le surrèalisme, c'est moi
Thanks for the kind words guys.
Gabor - It's not too far off to call it a war. A lot of the population is in constant fear. I hesitate to call it terrorism though. That word gets thrown around a lot nowadays.
Unfortunately I don't have more images of anything except the helicopter. My next door neighbor likes to tape this kind of stuff, tomorrow I'll ask him if he got anything. The cartel members went away when the marines came and started kicking their asses, so I couldn't go out and take pictures. I don't think the marines would have appreciated me running around with a big camera taking pics of the aftermath.
I'll go looking for shell casings tomorrow. The houses in the corners were probably hit, since some cartel members were taking cover there. I'll check that out and see if there's anything worth a picture.
Apparently, the gunfight also spread to an important nearby avenue. Friends and neighbors have told me that the police didn't let them exit a nearby mall and a super market across the street from the mall. People started panicking at the mall, and many started running to hide in the cinema (although the fight never went inside). From what a friend told me, there was a bit of chaos there. My neighbor was in the supermarket at the time, and they were ordered to lay down on the floor by the police. Some people ran and hid in the warehouse, since the fight got pretty close at some points.
The center of the fight oddly seems to have been my street though. It's strange, because it's a one block street in a small, quiet residential neighborhood. I'll investigate tomorrow to try to find out exactly what happened, and who was caught.
I'll keep you guys posted.
Cheers,
Rob
Gabor - It's not too far off to call it a war. A lot of the population is in constant fear. I hesitate to call it terrorism though. That word gets thrown around a lot nowadays.
Unfortunately I don't have more images of anything except the helicopter. My next door neighbor likes to tape this kind of stuff, tomorrow I'll ask him if he got anything. The cartel members went away when the marines came and started kicking their asses, so I couldn't go out and take pictures. I don't think the marines would have appreciated me running around with a big camera taking pics of the aftermath.
I'll go looking for shell casings tomorrow. The houses in the corners were probably hit, since some cartel members were taking cover there. I'll check that out and see if there's anything worth a picture.
Apparently, the gunfight also spread to an important nearby avenue. Friends and neighbors have told me that the police didn't let them exit a nearby mall and a super market across the street from the mall. People started panicking at the mall, and many started running to hide in the cinema (although the fight never went inside). From what a friend told me, there was a bit of chaos there. My neighbor was in the supermarket at the time, and they were ordered to lay down on the floor by the police. Some people ran and hid in the warehouse, since the fight got pretty close at some points.
The center of the fight oddly seems to have been my street though. It's strange, because it's a one block street in a small, quiet residential neighborhood. I'll investigate tomorrow to try to find out exactly what happened, and who was caught.
I'll keep you guys posted.
Cheers,
Rob
Roberto V.
Le surrèalisme, c'est moi
Monterrey usually is a beautiful and quiet city. It's very sad for me to see how things have been going lately. I'm going to study abroad for a few years. I'll probably leave next year. I can only hope I can come back to the Monterrey I love. The old Monterrey.
I've seen my share of crazy stuff so I wasn't really frightened, but I did get quite nervous when I started hearing the shots right outside my house, and I couldn't look out the window. I was mostly worried that somebody might come into my house and I don't own any weapon anymore (used to have some nice knives). My crowbar was downsairs with my tools (not that it would help much, I guess).
Note to self: Acquire weapons.
On a funnier note: one of my best friends called me during the gunfight, and I answered to stop the phone from ringing (I could hear people outside, somebody probably used my driveway to take cover at some point). I answer quietly and we have this short conversation:
-were you sleeping?
-no man, there's gunshots outside my place. I don't want to make noise, there's people outside
-oh, ok... *long pause* so, you wanna come over to my place and grab some drinks? *laughs*
-uh, I don't think that's a good idea
:bang:
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Mr_Flibble
In Tabulas Argenteas Refero
I'm glad you and your neighbors are okay, Roberto.
Frontman
Well-known
My mother lives within sight of the border near Juarez. Several years ago I bought her a .22 pistol to use against snakes, but a couple years ago I got her an AK-47. The nearest sheriffs office is 50 miles away, and even on a emergency call, it takes them forever to arrive.
cambolt
Green Spotted Nose Turtle
You bought your mum and Ak-47?
Ha ha brilliant!
Roberto V.
Le surrèalisme, c'est moi
Unfortunatly it's not as easy to legally get a gun here in Mexico. The law allows possession of calibers under .380 ACP or .38 super for handguns, and concealed carry permits exist. In practice, you have to be a multi-millionaire or have political connections to get one. I definitely don't want the trouble of owning a gun without a permit, but I can't say I haven't thought about it. Coincidentally, for some reason I started reading a lot on gun laws the last few days. I had a feeling that I might need one someday. Crazy coincidence.
Well guys, I'm off to sleep. I'll update you tomorrow if anything interesting comes up.
Roberto V.
Le surrèalisme, c'est moi
Yes, that's quite badass
Luna
Well-known
Orale, it wasn't this one was it?
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wor...nts_get_down_sing_song_as_gunbattle_rage.html
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wor...nts_get_down_sing_song_as_gunbattle_rage.html
Roberto V.
Le surrèalisme, c'est moi
No, not that one. I'm not sure in what part of the city that was.
Haigh
Gary Haigh
Glad you are OK. I'm a real CHicken Little so I'd be terrified.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Glad to hear you're ok, huerco.
And change that door!
And change that door!
rpilottx
Established
Mexico Drug Wars
Mexico Drug Wars
I spent 22 years fighting the drug war for US Customs and have lived within 5 miles of the US-Mexico border for the last 14 here in El Paso. Juarez is the most dangerous city on earth (beats Kabul or Bagdad) and El Paso is the safest large city in the US-go figure.
Glad you are ok.
Mexico Drug Wars
I spent 22 years fighting the drug war for US Customs and have lived within 5 miles of the US-Mexico border for the last 14 here in El Paso. Juarez is the most dangerous city on earth (beats Kabul or Bagdad) and El Paso is the safest large city in the US-go figure.
Glad you are ok.
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