Two Arizona Sisters Killed In Mexico Shooting
By Matthew Holloway |
Two Arizona sisters, identified as Enedina N., 72, and Ubaldina N., 82, have been found dead in a White Nissan Pathfinder riddled with bullets off the side of Mexican Federal Highway 2, approximately 21 miles south of the border community of Sonoyta.
The two women, one holding dual-U.S.-Mexican citizenship and the second a permanent resident, were reportedly on their way to Caborca, Sonora, their hometown.
According to a Friday statement posted to X from the Sonora Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía de Sonora), “The incident was reported at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 23, when two lifeless women were reported, from Arizona and originally from Caborca, where they were headed, identified as Enedina ‘N,’ 72 years old, and Ubaldina ‘N,’ 82, inside a white Nissan Pathfinder vehicle, which had bullet impacts and had overturned at kilometer 221+500 of the aforementioned road.”
The authorities reported that investigators and from SEDENA and National Guard officers located a navy blue 2023 Ford F150, which had been reported stolen near the town of Quitovac, with “90 caliber 7.62×39 cartridges, three caliber 7.62×39 magazines, 22 rifle magazines, three ballistic vests and four AK-47 caliber 7.62×39 rifles.” The Mexican authorities noted that the “probable criminals” are still at large. According to Reuters, the particular stretch of Federal Highway 2, “is infamous for violence and the trafficking of migrants searching for better opportunities and security in the United States.”
Prosecutors for the Sonora AG’s Office said, “Security forces from three levels of government immediately initiated an operation to locate and arrest the criminal group responsible, with the support of specialized air and ground forces.” The Biden-Harris Administration’s Department of State told USA Today through a spokesman that U.S. authorities “are closely monitoring the situation.” The spokesman told the outlet, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased. We have no further comment at this time.”
Arizona outlet 12News reportedly spoke to the son of one of the victims on condition of anonymity Friday evening. He revealed that not only had his mother and aunt perished in the horrific attack, but their third sister had also recently perished from cancer. “My mother and my aunt were taken away violently from us,” he told reporters. “They were great people… they were great, loving grandmothers who loved to help their family and their community.”
The son told 12News that his mother and aunt lived in Phoenix but also owned homes in Mexico and would travel back and forth to visit family and vacation.
“This was so tragic, so shocking, that somebody like my mom and my aunt would be victims of such a crime,” he added. “Because they were just completely innocent people who just happened to travel the area.”
The son provided additional details of the sisters’ horrific deaths. He explained that his mother, who had been driving, was apparently shot in the head while the vehicle was moving at a high speed and died instantly, while his aunt was fatally injured when the vehicle left the road and rolled several times dying trapped in the wreck.
“This is tragic. Graphic. It just tears at the heart,” he said. “And not a single family member has received any information other than what they’ve actually seen on the news, and that’s also a tragic part of the story.”
He also told reporters, “Nobody has told us what is going on with the ongoing investigation. We don’t know anything about the investigation. They haven’t told us any arrests or any leads.”
The son said he feels that the brutal murder was a case of “wrong place, wrong time,” with the outlet noting that the attack took place in broad daylight, and the sisters appeared to be following guidelines given to U.S. tourists traveling in Mexico.
The son lamented, “The crime that is happening there, what happened to my mother and my aunt… it’s just not a recent thing, this has been going on for decades.” He continued, “There’s been a war on drugs since I was a little kid… I’ve heard it a million times. But it’s still going on. It’s still killing innocent people. It’s still killing grandmas. It’s devastating to the community, to the surviving members, and we don’t have an answer.”
Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.