Two Americans have been hospitalized in the US after an armed kidnapping in Mexico left two of their friends dead. The four Americans were taken from a location near the Mexican border city of Matamoros on Friday and were later discovered in a “wooden house,” according to Tamaulipas Governor Américo Villarreal.
The survivors are Latavia Washington McGee, who was unharmed, and Eric Williams, who was wounded.
Williams had been shot three times in the legs and was taken to a hospital in Texas for surgery. His wife, Michele Williams, said he was emotional as he spoke to her on the phone, and regarded the deceased victims, Shaeed Woodard and Zindell Brown, as “brothers.”
The group had been taken to multiple locations in the days they were missing “to create confusion and avoid rescue efforts,” according to Villarreal. The FBI has confirmed that Williams and Washington McGee have been transported to a US hospital. Mexican authorities are conducting forensic examinations to determine the cause of death for Woodard and Brown before their remains are repatriated to the US.
Background
A group of friends from South Carolina travelled to Mexico last week for a medical procedure, but their trip took a tragic turn when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen. The Americans were intercepted and fired upon, then taken from the scene. Tragically, two of the friends died, including a Mexican bystander who was killed by a stray bullet. The survivors were later found, and one person has been detained in connection with the attack.
Washington McGee, a mother of six, was one of the survivors. She watched as two of her friends were killed in front of her, according to her mother, Barbara Burgess. The group’s intended destination was Matamoros, where McGee was scheduled for a medical procedure. It is believed that the Americans were targeted by a Mexican cartel who mistook them for Haitian drug smugglers, according to a US official.
The National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, has expressed outrage over the attack and vowed to work with the Mexican government to ensure justice is served. Kirby also expressed concern for the well-being of the survivors and the safe return of the victims.
Four friends from North Carolina were travelling to Matamoros, Mexico so that Washington McGee could undergo cosmetic surgery. McGee had previously travelled to Mexico for a medical procedure a few years ago, as the country has become a destination for affordable care and treatments that may not be available in the US. However, during their journey to the clinic, the friends became lost and were having difficulty finding directions due to poor phone signals. While driving, the group was attacked by unidentified gunmen, who fired upon their minivan and then took them away in a white pickup truck.
Two of the friends, identified as Woodard and Brown, were found dead, while McGee and Williams were still alive and later found at a house outside Matamoros. The incident has highlighted the dangers of travelling abroad for medical procedures, especially in areas with high levels of organized crime activity and kidnapping. The US State Department has issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory for US citizens in the state of Tamaulipas, where Matamoros is located, due to ongoing violence and organized crime activity in the region. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of caution and vigilance when travelling abroad.
Fear in the Hearts of Loved Ones
Several family members and friends were worried and panicked after being unable to contact a group of travellers, including Latavia Washington McGee. The group was supposed to visit a doctor’s office in Mexico but never arrived.
The friend of Washington McGee contacted the doctor’s office to inquire about their whereabouts and was told that Washington McGee had asked for directions because she was lost. The family began searching online for news and came across a video that showed the kidnapping.
Washington McGee’s family is concerned about her safety, as she is a mother of children ranging from 6 to 18 years old. One of her friends who travelled with the group reported to the police in Brownsville, but no further action was taken.
