MEXICO CITY — A woman wearing a blond wig disguise shot to death two Israeli men at a restaurant in an upscale Mexico City shopping mall, and authorities said Thursday they were investigating links to organized crime.
Though the woman was quickly arrested and claimed the killings were a crime of passion, prosecutors later discounted that motive, and said that international “criminal groups” were involved.
Authorities said the woman and another man sat down Wednesday at a table near the victims at a restaurant in the Plaza Artz mall; she then rose and shot the two Israelis at close range.
She then ditched the wig and other parts of her disguise outside the mall and ran, but was quickly caught by police. At least two accomplices shot a police officer outside the mall and then fled in a car.
Ulises Lara, spokesman for the city prosecutor’s office, said a total of four suspects were involved in either the killing, logistics or getaway.
Officials identified the victims as Jony Ben and Alon Azulay.
Customers at the shopping centre fled, dove to the floor or took refuge behind storefronts as the sound of gunshots rang through the complex. Videos and photos posted on social media showed restaurant patrons cowering under tables.
Mexico City police chief Jesus Orta said the woman told police Wednesday “she had a sentimental relationship with one of the victims, who she met on social media, and that the attack was due to infidelity.”
But on Thursday, Lara said “the supposed motive this person talked about initially doesn’t exist.”
Lara said prosecutors are checking reports in Israeli media that one or both of the victims had criminal backgrounds.
The attack was “an issue of serious co-ordination, of acts by criminal groups, and in the case we are talking about here, there are at least links to international criminals,” Lara said. “We have to confirm everything, show you everything, and find out what those links are.”