Crime & Safety

Warrenville Mom Dies In Mexico Shooting That Killed 20: Report

Melissa Silva was one of 20 people shot to death at a cockfight in Mexico Sunday night. Her sister, Arleth, is in critical condition.

Warrenville, Illinois, resident Melissa Silva was one of 20 people shot to death at a cockfight in Mexico on Sunday night. Her sister, Arleth, is in critical condition.
Warrenville, Illinois, resident Melissa Silva was one of 20 people shot to death at a cockfight in Mexico on Sunday night. Her sister, Arleth, is in critical condition. (Scott Anderson/Patch)

MEXICO CITY — A mother of four from Warrenville, Illinois, was among 20 people who were killed when gunmen opened fire at a cockfight in Mexico, according to multiple reports. Melissa Silva was fatally shot during Sunday's attack, which also left her sister, Arleth, 16, in critical condition.

Investigators say the deadly shooting was planned by gunmen in camouflage who used a potato chip van to get into the ranch in Las Tinajas, Michoacan, where the cockfight was being held. After firing more than 100 shots that killed 17 women and three men and injured four people, the attackers fled in other vehicles.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador blamed the shooting on gang violence. Obrador said "It was a massacre of one group by another," BBC reports.

Find out what's happening in Wheatonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The Silva family has started a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses for Melissa and medical expenses for Arleth, who is still hospitalized in Mexico. Click the link to donate to the GoFundMe for Melissa and Arleth Silva.

Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.

Find out what's happening in Wheatonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.