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14-year-old 'El Chapito' arrested for murder of 8 at birthday party
Featured Image Credit: Mexican police

14-year-old 'El Chapito' arrested for murder of 8 at birthday party

A 14-year-old known as 'El Chapito' has been arrested for the murder of eight people at a birthday party.

A 14-year-old boy who has been dubbed 'El Chapito' has been arrested for the murder of eight people at a birthday party.

The federal Public Safety Department said on Thursday (16 March) that the boy, whose real name was not released, was involved in drug-related crimes.

The incident took place near Mexico City on 22 January of this year, which resulted in eight innocent people being killed.

The boy rode up on a motorcycle and opened fire on a family in the deprived Mexico City suburb of Chimalhuacan, CBS News reports.

The boy's nickname of 'El Chapito' is an apparent reference to imprisoned drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman.

The boy's name is a reference to Joaquín Archivaldo Guzmán.
Digital Image Library / Alamy Stock Photo

It has been reported that the family were holding a party at their home at the time of the attack, which also left five adults and two children wounded.

Officials have also claimed that the party was actually a birthday celebration, though there are no details as to whether the one celebrating is deceased.

The federal Public Safety Department have not detailed the potential motives behind the attack, but drug problems are an apparent issue in Mexico.

Drug gangs, which thrive in that part of the country, frequently dabble in kidnapping and contract killing.

Another reason for the attack may be rivals who are selling drugs on their patch, though this probably sounds a bit unlikely considering an apparent birthday party was taking place.

Yet another reason as to why a gang may end up firing on a seemingly innocent group is for money they may owe them, but that would be purely speculation at this point.

Officials say the shooting took place on 22 January.
Norma Jean Gargasz / Alamy Stock Photo

The teen boy was not the only person arrested in connection with the shooting, with another man known as 'El Nono' also detained.

Seven other gang members were charged with drug-related crimes, according to the federal Public Safety Department.

Unfortunately, Mexico is no stranger to child killers, as soldiers detained another 14-year-old known as 'El Ponchis' in 2010.

They claimed he was kidnapped at 11 and forced to work for the Cartel of the South Pacific, which a branch of the splintered Beltran Leyva gang.

When the boy was arrested, he told reporters that he was drugged and threatened into committing the crimes.

The boy claimed that he had taken part in at least four decapitations.

Topics: Crime, Drugs