TORREÓN, Coahuila — An argument between active members of the Mexican Armed Forces escalated into a fatal altercation during the early hours of Sunday, August 30, inside a hotel located in downtown Torreón, leaving a 22-year-old soldier dead.
The incident occurred in room 505 of a hotel situated at the intersection of Morelos Avenue and Ildefonso Fuentes Street, where the military personnel were staying. According to preliminary reports, the dispute began when another soldier entered the room to ask the victim, identified as Alejandro Martínez Ibarra, for a cell phone charger.
For reasons still under investigation, a verbal argument broke out between the two soldiers and quickly turned physical. Other servicemen present in the room intervened to separate the men and halt the fight. Shortly after the altercation ended, Martínez Ibarra collapsed onto the floor.
Witnesses immediately placed an emergency call to the 911 system. Paramedics promptly arrived at the scene to administer first aid; however, upon examination, they confirmed that the young soldier no longer had vital signs. Law enforcement cordoned off the area to secure evidence and facilitate the investigation.
Forensic services personnel carried out the recovery of the body and ordered its transfer to the Service of Forensic Medicine (SEMEFO), where an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
The State Attorney General’s Office of Coahuila has opened a formal investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the fatal event. As part of the ongoing proceedings, investigators have requested security camera footage from the hotel to trace the timeline of the altercation. Authorities have not yet disclosed the legal status of the second soldier involved, nor has the Ministry of National Defense (SEDENA) issued an official statement regarding the case.
Source: Vanguardia
