Four US citizens were assaulted and kidnapped by gunmen in northeastern Mexico on Friday in a case of mistaken identity, CNN reported citing a US official with knowledge of the investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has called for people’s help in finding the US citizens and identifying those responsible for the act. The agency has also announced a reward of USD 50,000 for their return and arrest of those involved. The missing Americans, who were not identified, drove into Matamoros on Friday in a white minivan with North Carolina plates, the FBI in San Antonio said, according to CNN. The FBI said that the four US citizens were fired upon by unidentified gunmen and were “placed in a vehicle and taken from the scene by armed men.” The FBI stated that it is cooperating with other federal partners and Mexican law enforcement agencies to investigate the kidnapping.
The US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar said that an innocent Mexican citizen was killed in the encounter. “We have no higher priority than the safety of our citizens,” Salazar said.
“This is the most fundamental role of the US government. Officials from various US law enforcement agencies are working with Mexican authorities at all levels of government to achieve the safe return of our compatriots.”