American College Student Among 5 Killed in Mexico Nightclub Shooting

An American college student was among five people killed when gunshots broke out during a rave at a Mexico beach resort early Monday, according to reports.

Alejandra Villanueva, 18, was out partying at the Blue Parrot nightclub in Playa Del Carmen when a gunman entered the club and opened fire at about 2:30 a.m.

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Villanueva and four others were killed. Fifteen bystanders were injured, according to reports.

The suspect then fled. He has not yet been captured, according to reports, and authorities have ruled out terrorism.

Mass choas broke out during the shooting causing a stampede of people and Villanueva was reportedly trampled to death, according to CBS.

A man, who had gotten to know Villanueva while she was on the vacation from Colorado, said the teen had died right next to him.

“I met Alejandra during the festival in Playa Del Carmen and she [hung] out with our group of friends for the past three days,” Ignacio Valencia wrote on Facebook. She was a person full of life… Unfortunately, she passed away next to me during the shooting. My heart is broken in pieces.”

Valencia said Villanueva was in college to be a teacher.

The teen’s brother, Aaron Martinez, started a GoFundMe for his sister’s funeral services

“Alejandra was currently in college and working,” Martinez wrote on the donation page. “She is who sustained a home of a single mother with two younger siblings due to my mom being very ill. She was very young with a life ahead of her,” Martinez wrote.

Authorities reportedly think that the shooting may be linked to the drug cartel, Los Zetas, and their claim to new territory, according to reports.

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Three security guards were also reportedly among the dead, but police have not released names.

The BPM Festival, which was hosting its 10th and final night of electronic music at the club when the shooting took place, released a statement in the aftermath of the tragedy.

“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,” organizers said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families and all those affected by these tragic events.”  

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