Attack at Mexican school kills one injures three

A violent attack occurred at the Escuela Secundaria General Número 13 in Torreón, Coahuila, on October 1, 2026, resulting in the death of a 56-year-old subdirectora and injuring at least three people. The attackers were identified as two 18-year-old brothers, ex-alumnos of the school.

According to the Fiscalía General del Estado de Coahuila, the brothers used machetes and petardos to attack the administrative staff and students, but did not use firearms. Federico Fernández Montañez, the fiscal, stated that the motive appeared to be personal resentments or revenge against the school.

The subdirectora died at the scene due to injuries from a machete. Two students were among the injured, one in serious condition. The attackers were detained by authorities with the help of local residents and parents.

The Gabinete de Seguridad federal confirmed that it is working closely with local authorities to investigate the case. The two brothers are being held under custody and will be prosecuted. The Fiscalía will determine the individual participation of each brother and establish the formal motive for the attack.

The investigation will also examine the brothers’ connection to the school and why they returned to commit the attack. Federico Fernández Montañez noted that initial evidence suggests sentiments against the school, but avoided presenting this as a definitive conclusion.

This incident is part of a series of violent events in Mexican educational institutions reported in 2026. In March, a 15-year-old student shot and killed two teachers at a preparatoria. In April, the Secretaría de Educación Pública and state police had to activate operations to inspect students’ backpacks due to a viral social media challenge that led to false alarms and threats in at least 15 states.

A day before the Torreón attack, a similar incident occurred at a secundaria in Querétaro, where a minor was detained and four people were injured in a machete attack. The series of violent events has raised concerns about safety in Mexican schools.

The Fiscalía General del Estado de Coahuila is continuing its investigation into the Torreón attack, and the Gabinete de Seguridad federal is providing support to local authorities. The attack has resulted in widespread shock and outrage, and authorities are working to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.