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Four dead in BPM Festival shooting

Four people have died with fifteen others reported injured. Incident took place in the early hours of this morning at Blue Parrot nightclub

By Rhian Jones on 16 Jan 2017

Blue Parrot, Playa del Carmen


Four people have died during a shooting at BPM Festival in Mexico with fifteen others reported injured.

The incident took place in the early hours of this morning at the electronic music event’s closing party at the Blue Parrot nightclub in the coastal resort of Playa del Carmen.

According to a statement on BPM Festival’s Facebook page, police have confirmed reports of a lone shooter, which resulted in four fatalities and fifteen injured. The violence began on 12th street in front of the club and three members of the BPM security team were among those whose lives were lost while trying to protect patrons inside the venue.

“We are overcome with grief over this senseless act of violence and we are cooperating fully with local law enforcement and government officials as they continue their investigation.”

The statement continues: The BPM Festival has been working closely with the local authorities (Seguridad Publica / Policia Turistica) throughout the festival to ensure public safety and security for all visitors. We are overcome with grief over this senseless act of violence and we are cooperating fully with local law enforcement and government officials as they continue their investigation. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families and all those affected by these tragic events.

BPM Festival attracts DJs, producers and festival-goers from around the world. This year it celebrates its 10th anniversary from January 6th – 15th. Artists on the line-up include Jack Revill, Anjunadeep, Detriot Love, Pete Tong, Warriors and Dusky.

Those on the bill at the closing party were Hot Since 92, John Acquaviva, Michelangelo, Jamie Jones, Stacey Pullen, Shiny Objects, Joey Daniel, Elio Riso, David Berrie, The Martinez Brothers, Hector and Lauren Lane. The event is helmed by festival directors Craig Pettigrew, Philip Pulitano and Alessandra Axelsson.

Valerie Lee, Mixmag’s US digital editor, was at the closing party and witnessed the shootings. Lee told the Guardian: “We were there for maybe 20 minutes when we heard four to five shots. Everyone was processing it for a second then people starting running away from the main entrance towards the back.

“There is a large cement wall so we crouched underneath waiting to see what was happening. People started saying it was just fireworks. But shortly after other people came running through the area and said they had seen someone with a gun.

“The shooters didn’t seem to enter the club, they just kind of shot towards the front entrance and did not get in. People seem to be saying shooters but I’m not positive (how many there were).”

“The shooters didn’t seem to enter the club, they just kind of shot towards the front entrance and did not get in. People seem to be saying shooters but I’m not positive (how many there were). Nobody entered the club. It didn’t seem like a terrorist attack – just an attempt to kill as many people as possible.”

DJ Jack Revill tweeted after the attack pleading with festival-goers to stay in their hotel. He later added: “This is a very, very sad situation. Tryna get my head around it still. Thoughts and condolences to all affected.”

The Martinez Brothers have also responded to the incident, tweeting: “No words man…completely thrown off blessings to everyone affected & stay safe guys.”


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