Posted on 06/05/2018 8:18:05 AM PDT by BBell
SAN DIEGO -- Like their fellow Americans in the coastal town of Bahia de los Angeles on the Gulf of California, Jo Anne Butler and Ray Ball kept returning, year after year, drawn by the small-town feel, the area's stark natural beauty, the warm waters that lapped almost at their door, friends said.
But the shooting deaths of the two U.S. retirees together with their dog early Saturday at their waterfront house south of town has shattered the tranquillity of this quiet community some 380 miles from the U.S. border. Sustained largely by tourism and fishing, Bahia has a year-round population of 1,000, but is also a part-time residence for more than 100 Americans, according to local authorities.
"We have no memory of having a shooting here," said Tom Mitchell, a San Diego resident who has had a home in Bahia de los Angeles for four decades. "This has taken it to a level that no one here has experienced."
Friends and authorities said Monday that the killings appear to be over a boat -- a 22-foot McKee Craft with a Yamaha 250 outboard motor that the couple kept at their house and frequently used for fishing excursions.
"It was an attempted robbery, and an individual went to defend his property, and that's when they shot him," said Octavio Lopez, the delegado, or top local government official, in a telephone interview from Bahia de los Angeles. "This is the first time we've had something like this happen."
A neighbor who remained fearful and asked that his name be withheld said he had been awakened at about midnight by gunfire that "sounded like somebody pounding on a metal roof." Looking outside, he saw a SUV pulling a boat toward the water, "and the thing just buried itself in the sand."
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
I'm not familiar with this area but I do know that there are some areas full of US retires that are, or were, relatively safe.
The guy was shot 18 times. A bit of an overkill I’d say.
Why would anyone voluntarily go to Meh-Hee-Co.
Folks, don’t vacation, visit or live in Mexico. And convince your loved ones to do the same.
Exactly my thought.
Meghan Markle’s dad had better skedaddle from his home in Mexico. He must be quite a target for kidnappers now.
It’s really nice except for the killings and robberies.
She had two gunshot wounds ... to the legs!
Can’t be, there is strict Gun Control in Mexico including mandatory Registration.
Mexico and Central American countries have been magnets for retirees who are looking for low cost of living and a leisurely lifestyle. This brought in lots of capital and a good boost for local economies. If Mexico can’t control crime, especially the drug cartels, this will disappear almost overnight.
I wonder of the HGTV Show “Mexico Life” will be cancelled after this?
Mexico is a failed state. I wouldn’t go anywhere near it.
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That big McKee is a friggin tank. Hope that Yammy was a 4 stroke or they ain't goin very far. Hehehe.
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That big McKee is a friggin tank. Hope that Yammy was a 4 stroke or they ain't goin very far. Hehehe.
No place in Mexico is safe. The sooner people realize that the better. The Mexican government is fighting a losing war with losing tactics against the rising criminal class. This is evidenced by the increase in crime against foreign nationals who are a major source of income and revenue in Mexico.
It is sad because there is much beauty there and the vacation dollar definitely goes further there than here.
Not really. By the time one deals with all of the handouts and added travel costs, US vacationing is very competitive. And, you don’t have to worry as much about flyshit and horse meat in your food.
You’d have to kidnap me to go back to Mexico.
Ever notice that pretty much every home that they feature has bars on the windows and doors? Not a chance I would visit Mexico and live there...no way!
Even Cancun has gone bad, terrible sh*thole.
Even Mexicans don't want to voluntarily go to Mexico.
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