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| 9 Members of Mormon Family in Mexico Are Killed in Ambush | 9 Members of Mormon Family in Mexico Are Killed in Ambush |
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| MEXICO CITY — Three women and six children from a prominent local Mormon family were killed on Monday when their vehicles were ambushed in northern Mexico by gunmen believed to be members of organized crime, family members said. The attack alarmed a nation already reeling from record violence this year. | MEXICO CITY — Three women and six children from a prominent local Mormon family were killed on Monday when their vehicles were ambushed in northern Mexico by gunmen believed to be members of organized crime, family members said. The attack alarmed a nation already reeling from record violence this year. |
| Members of the LeBarón family, dual Mexican and American citizens who have lived in a fundamentalist Mormon community in the border region for decades, were traveling in three separate vehicles when the gunmen attacked, several family members said. They described a terrifying scene in which one child was gunned down while running away, while others were trapped inside a burning car. | Members of the LeBarón family, dual Mexican and American citizens who have lived in a fundamentalist Mormon community in the border region for decades, were traveling in three separate vehicles when the gunmen attacked, several family members said. They described a terrifying scene in which one child was gunned down while running away, while others were trapped inside a burning car. |
| Two of the children killed were less than a year old, the family members said. The car they were in with their mother was set ablaze. | Two of the children killed were less than a year old, the family members said. The car they were in with their mother was set ablaze. |
| “When you know there are babies tied in a car seat that are burning because of some twisted evil that’s in this world,” said a cousin of the women, Kenny LeBarón, “it’s just hard to cope with that.” | “When you know there are babies tied in a car seat that are burning because of some twisted evil that’s in this world,” said a cousin of the women, Kenny LeBarón, “it’s just hard to cope with that.” |
| David Langford, whose sister Christina died in the attack, said that eight children had survived, including his sister’s 7-month-old infant. Several of the children survived after hiding by a tree, and one, about 12 years old, hiked several miles to get help, Mr. Langford said. | David Langford, whose sister Christina died in the attack, said that eight children had survived, including his sister’s 7-month-old infant. Several of the children survived after hiding by a tree, and one, about 12 years old, hiked several miles to get help, Mr. Langford said. |
| One of the children who got away had been shot in the leg and the face and was in critical condition, Mr. Langford said. He blamed cartels in the area for the attack, calling their members “some of the most wicked men on the face of the planet.” | One of the children who got away had been shot in the leg and the face and was in critical condition, Mr. Langford said. He blamed cartels in the area for the attack, calling their members “some of the most wicked men on the face of the planet.” |
| Mexico has suffered a string of violent episodes in the last month, each as devastating and infuriating for citizens as the last. | Mexico has suffered a string of violent episodes in the last month, each as devastating and infuriating for citizens as the last. |
| President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said during a morning news conference on Tuesday that the region where the attack took place “has been a very violent area for many years.” | President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said during a morning news conference on Tuesday that the region where the attack took place “has been a very violent area for many years.” |
| Alfonso Durazo, Mexico’s security minister, said Tuesday that “there were serious advances in the investigation” and that the women’s sport utility vehicles “could have been confused by the criminal groups that are fighting in the region.” | Alfonso Durazo, Mexico’s security minister, said Tuesday that “there were serious advances in the investigation” and that the women’s sport utility vehicles “could have been confused by the criminal groups that are fighting in the region.” |
| Among those groups is a cell that is linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, which was led by Joaquín Guzmán Loera, known as El Chapo. When security forces tried to arrest one of his sons last month in Culiacán, almost 400 cartel gunmen took control of the city and forced the government to withdraw. | Among those groups is a cell that is linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, which was led by Joaquín Guzmán Loera, known as El Chapo. When security forces tried to arrest one of his sons last month in Culiacán, almost 400 cartel gunmen took control of the city and forced the government to withdraw. |
| Other groups are trying to take control of the region where the attack took place, Mr. Durazo said. | Other groups are trying to take control of the region where the attack took place, Mr. Durazo said. |
| Fourteen police officers were killed in the state of Michoacán in the middle of last month, in an ambush stemming from violent clashes in the state. Days later, cartel gunmen laid siege to the city of Culiacán, in Sinaloa State. | Fourteen police officers were killed in the state of Michoacán in the middle of last month, in an ambush stemming from violent clashes in the state. Days later, cartel gunmen laid siege to the city of Culiacán, in Sinaloa State. |
| In both cases, the stark challenges of public security were laid bare, raising questions about the government’s seriousness in combating the spiraling violence. | In both cases, the stark challenges of public security were laid bare, raising questions about the government’s seriousness in combating the spiraling violence. |
| On Tuesday, President López Obrador defended his security strategy in the face of the drumbeat of violence and rising criticism that his government appears to be improvising against the power of criminal groups. | On Tuesday, President López Obrador defended his security strategy in the face of the drumbeat of violence and rising criticism that his government appears to be improvising against the power of criminal groups. |
| “You cannot put out fire with fire,” he said. | “You cannot put out fire with fire,” he said. |
| The president said: “There will be intelligence, which has been lacking, more than force. There will be prosecution, punishment. There will be a lot of attention to the population, especially for young people.” | The president said: “There will be intelligence, which has been lacking, more than force. There will be prosecution, punishment. There will be a lot of attention to the population, especially for young people.” |
| But Monday’s brutal killings seem to have hit a new low, with infants, children and their mothers murdered in broad daylight. It threatened to become a galvanizing moment for citizens fed up with the endless bloodshed and the government’s inability to do much about it. | But Monday’s brutal killings seem to have hit a new low, with infants, children and their mothers murdered in broad daylight. It threatened to become a galvanizing moment for citizens fed up with the endless bloodshed and the government’s inability to do much about it. |
| President Trump offered on Tuesday to help Mexico eradicate the cartels. “This is the time for Mexico, with the help of the United States, to wage WAR on the drug cartels and wipe them off the face of the earth,” he said on Twitter. “We merely await a call from your great new president! The cartels have become so large and powerful that you sometimes need an army to defeat an army!” | President Trump offered on Tuesday to help Mexico eradicate the cartels. “This is the time for Mexico, with the help of the United States, to wage WAR on the drug cartels and wipe them off the face of the earth,” he said on Twitter. “We merely await a call from your great new president! The cartels have become so large and powerful that you sometimes need an army to defeat an army!” |
| Mr. López Obrador said it was up to Mexico to deal with the matter. | Mr. López Obrador said it was up to Mexico to deal with the matter. |
| “We appreciate and thank very much President Trump and any foreign government that wants to help, but in these cases we have to act with independence, according to our constitution and our tradition of independence and sovereignty,” he said. | “We appreciate and thank very much President Trump and any foreign government that wants to help, but in these cases we have to act with independence, according to our constitution and our tradition of independence and sovereignty,” he said. |
| Later Tuesday, a White House spokesman, Hogan Gidley, said the presidents had discussed the violence and cooperation in the border region. Mr. Trump offered assistance “to ensure the perpetrators face justice,” Mr. Gidley said. Mr. López Obrador thanked his counterpart on Twitter and said Mexico’s government was acting “to do justice.” | Later Tuesday, a White House spokesman, Hogan Gidley, said the presidents had discussed the violence and cooperation in the border region. Mr. Trump offered assistance “to ensure the perpetrators face justice,” Mr. Gidley said. Mr. López Obrador thanked his counterpart on Twitter and said Mexico’s government was acting “to do justice.” |
| Details of the attack remained murky early Tuesday, as the state and local authorities struggled to determine the extent of the violence, and how exactly it unfolded. | Details of the attack remained murky early Tuesday, as the state and local authorities struggled to determine the extent of the violence, and how exactly it unfolded. |
| It was unclear whether the attackers intentionally targeted the family, which has historically spoken out about the criminal groups that plague the northern border states of Sonora and Chihuahua, or whether it was a case of mistaken identity. | It was unclear whether the attackers intentionally targeted the family, which has historically spoken out about the criminal groups that plague the northern border states of Sonora and Chihuahua, or whether it was a case of mistaken identity. |
| Julian LeBarón, a cousin of the three women who were driving the vehicles, said in a telephone interview from Bavispe, Mexico, that the women and their children had been traveling from La Mora, in Sonora State, to Colonia LeBarón, in Chihuahua State. | Julian LeBarón, a cousin of the three women who were driving the vehicles, said in a telephone interview from Bavispe, Mexico, that the women and their children had been traveling from La Mora, in Sonora State, to Colonia LeBarón, in Chihuahua State. |
| His cousin Rhonita LeBarón was traveling to Phoenix to pick up her husband, who works in North Dakota and was returning to celebrate the couple’s anniversary. Her car broke down, Mr. LeBarón said, and the gunmen “opened fire on Rhonita and torched her car.” | His cousin Rhonita LeBarón was traveling to Phoenix to pick up her husband, who works in North Dakota and was returning to celebrate the couple’s anniversary. Her car broke down, Mr. LeBarón said, and the gunmen “opened fire on Rhonita and torched her car.” |
| She was killed, along with her four children, he said: an 11-year-old boy, a 9-year-old girl and twins who were less than a year old. | She was killed, along with her four children, he said: an 11-year-old boy, a 9-year-old girl and twins who were less than a year old. |
| About eight miles ahead, the two other cars were also attacked, and the two other women, Christina Langford and Dawna Langford, were killed. A 4-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl were also killed, Mr. LeBarón said. | About eight miles ahead, the two other cars were also attacked, and the two other women, Christina Langford and Dawna Langford, were killed. A 4-year-old boy and a 6-year-old girl were also killed, Mr. LeBarón said. |
| The children were taken to hospitals, and several or all of them were airlifted to the United States, David Langford said. | The children were taken to hospitals, and several or all of them were airlifted to the United States, David Langford said. |
| Family members expressed bewilderment over what could have precipitated the attack. | Family members expressed bewilderment over what could have precipitated the attack. |
| “They intentionally murdered those people,” Mr. LeBarón said. “We don’t know what their motives were.” | “They intentionally murdered those people,” Mr. LeBarón said. “We don’t know what their motives were.” |
| One of the women even got out of her car, he said, and put up her hands. “They shot her point blank in the chest,” he said. | One of the women even got out of her car, he said, and put up her hands. “They shot her point blank in the chest,” he said. |
| Mr. LeBarón said the family had not received any threats, other than general warnings not to travel to Chihuahua, where they typically went to buy groceries and fuel. | Mr. LeBarón said the family had not received any threats, other than general warnings not to travel to Chihuahua, where they typically went to buy groceries and fuel. |
| As he watched a helicopter fly off with the wounded children, Mr. LeBarón said that perhaps the killings would finally spur enough outrage to force change. | As he watched a helicopter fly off with the wounded children, Mr. LeBarón said that perhaps the killings would finally spur enough outrage to force change. |
| “We need the Mexican people to say at some point, ‘We’ve had enough,'” he said. “We need accountability; we don’t have that on any level.” | “We need the Mexican people to say at some point, ‘We’ve had enough,'” he said. “We need accountability; we don’t have that on any level.” |
| The massacre came a decade after two other members of the LeBarón family were kidnapped and murdered after they confronted the drug gangs that exercise de facto control over the empty endless spaces of the borderlands south of Arizona. | The massacre came a decade after two other members of the LeBarón family were kidnapped and murdered after they confronted the drug gangs that exercise de facto control over the empty endless spaces of the borderlands south of Arizona. |
| The family’s religious community is not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the mainstream church with 16 million adherents that is headquartered in Utah. | The family’s religious community is not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the mainstream church with 16 million adherents that is headquartered in Utah. |
| Their community began in the early 20th century when members of the LeBarón family moved to Mexico and practiced polygamy, which was forbidden by the Latter-day Saints. Polygamy has largely faded from the community. | Their community began in the early 20th century when members of the LeBarón family moved to Mexico and practiced polygamy, which was forbidden by the Latter-day Saints. Polygamy has largely faded from the community. |
| Religious communities that date themselves to Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often call themselves Mormon. The mainstream church has abandoned the moniker. | Religious communities that date themselves to Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often call themselves Mormon. The mainstream church has abandoned the moniker. |
| It was not immediately clear if their religious beliefs were a factor in their deaths. | It was not immediately clear if their religious beliefs were a factor in their deaths. |
| A family member and other Mormons settled a town in Mexico in the 1940s; many of its residents speak English and have dual citizenship. | A family member and other Mormons settled a town in Mexico in the 1940s; many of its residents speak English and have dual citizenship. |
| Kenny LeBarón said much of the family now lives in North Dakota, working in the oil fields and running their own businesses, but they frequently travel to the border area for holidays, vacations and other special events. | Kenny LeBarón said much of the family now lives in North Dakota, working in the oil fields and running their own businesses, but they frequently travel to the border area for holidays, vacations and other special events. |
| “We’re a huge family, but we’re very close,” he said. | “We’re a huge family, but we’re very close,” he said. |
| Multiple family members posted a video, said to have been taken after the attack, showing a charred vehicle riddled with bullet holes, with smoke still rising from it. | Multiple family members posted a video, said to have been taken after the attack, showing a charred vehicle riddled with bullet holes, with smoke still rising from it. |
| Family members on social media implored the governments of Mexico and the United States to do something about the intensifying violence in Mexico, in particular in the areas along the northern border, where Mormons and Mennonites have lived for decades despite the threat from rampant organized crime. | Family members on social media implored the governments of Mexico and the United States to do something about the intensifying violence in Mexico, in particular in the areas along the northern border, where Mormons and Mennonites have lived for decades despite the threat from rampant organized crime. |
| Many took particular aim at President López Obrador, whose government has struggled to articulate a coherent security strategy even as homicides mount and organized crime groups carry out increasingly brazen attacks against citizens and the state. | Many took particular aim at President López Obrador, whose government has struggled to articulate a coherent security strategy even as homicides mount and organized crime groups carry out increasingly brazen attacks against citizens and the state. |
| In the aftermath of Monday’s attack, the government deployed the newly formed National Guard as well as the military to the area. | In the aftermath of Monday’s attack, the government deployed the newly formed National Guard as well as the military to the area. |
| Azam Ahmed, Elisabeth Malkin and Elda Cantú reported from Mexico City, and Daniel Victor from Hong Kong. Elizabeth Dias contributed reporting from Washington, and Julie Turkewitz from Denver. | Azam Ahmed, Elisabeth Malkin and Elda Cantú reported from Mexico City, and Daniel Victor from Hong Kong. Elizabeth Dias contributed reporting from Washington, and Julie Turkewitz from Denver. |