Mexico confirms police shot US girl dead in cartel chase

Mexican police fatally shot a seven-year-old American girl during a drug enforcement operation, state prosecutors confirmed on Friday. The incident occurred in Matamoros, a border city between Mexico and Texas. The girl, Aranza, was hit in the head by police gunfire after her family's vehicle came under attack by gunmen in the area.

Aranza's mother recounted the events to Mexican media, stating that the family was traveling with five children and her husband when they noticed a police helicopter following them. Despite the family stopping the vehicle and the husband getting out to declare they were civilians with children, they were still fired upon. Tamaulipas attorney general Jesus Govea disclosed that the officers opening fire were responding to an attack they allegedly came under from the ground during the roadblocks.

However, the officers responsible for Aranza's death remain at large. The investigation is ongoing, with significant progress being made, according to Govea. In recent decades, numerous civilians have lost their lives due to crossfire from drug-related violence in Mexico.