On March 3, 2023 four American citizens were kidnapped by The Gulf Cartel after they crossed into Matamoros, Mexico. The American victims are 32-year-old Latavia Washington, Zindell Brown, 28, Shaeed Woodard, 33, and Eric Wise/Williams. They are from South Carolina. Latavia was in Mexico for a cosmetic procedure. A Mexican woman was killed during the kidnapping. The Gulf Cartel is a ruthless and violent drug cartel in Mexico.
The U.S. Embassy recently issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel alert. Level 4 is the highest warning in the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory system.
Eric, Latavia, Shaeed, and Zindell rented a white van and drove to Mexico all the way from South Carolina. The group planned to get Latavia’s medical procedure done and then vacation in Mexico for a few days.
But once they crossed the border in Mexico on March 3, 2023, all hell broke lose as The Gulf Cartel purposefully slammed a vehicle into the American’s white van. Mexican drug cartels often get into intentional car accidents with Americans or rich looking people, because most locks on vehicles automatically unlock after a collision.
The collision occurred and The Gulf drug cartel armed in tan bullet proof vests opened the doors to the white van and fired several shots from a machine gun. It appears Eric, Shaeed, and Zindell were shot.
A female Mexican woman was shot dead as a innocent bystander. Latavia was rattled but was able to walk out of the van at gunpoint. The drug cartel members then savagely pushed her into the back of a white truck.
Eric, Shaeed, and Zindell could not walk from the gunfire, the cartel members dragged them and threw them into the back of the truck. The cartel members then fled the scene with the victims.
Now it appears The Gulf drug cartel will require money to give the American citizens back. However, it is not known if the victims are alive or dead. President Biden is aware of the hostage situation.
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for the return of the victims and the arrest of the culprits.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said:
“President Biden is aware and has been informed of the four Americans kidnapped in Mexico. U.S. authorities are coordinating with Mexican Authorities on the case. We are closely following the assault and kidnapping of four US citizens in Matamoros, Mexico. These sorts of attacks are unacceptable. Our thoughts are with the families of these individuals, and we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. U.S. law enforcement is in touch with Mexican law enforcement. The Departments of State and Homeland Security are also coordinating with Mexican authorities, and we will continue to coordinate with Mexico and push them to bring those responsible to justice.”
The U.S. State Department also released the following statement:
“The U.S. Department of State and our embassies and consulates abroad have no greater priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. We are closely following the kidnapping of four U.S. citizens in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, on March 3. The FBI, federal partners, and Mexican law enforcement agencies are investigating. We published an alert on March 5 urging the public to contact the FBI with any information regarding the investigation. We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. The travel advisory for Tamaulipas state remains Level 4: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping. Due to privacy considerations, we have no further comment.”
