GUATEMALA CITY (AP) – Gunmen stormed one of Guatemala’s largest hospitals and opened fire early Wednesday in an attempt to free an imprisoned gang member, officials said. At least six people were reported killed and five were arrested.
Carlos Soto, director of the Roosevelt Hospital in the capital, said an unknown number of attackers entered the facility in the morning and began shooting.
National Civil Police said the five men in custody were members of the Mara Salvatrucha gang. Via Twitter, the agency showed photographs of assault rifles seized from the attackers.
Astrid Villatoro was at the hospital waiting for her son to get an X-ray when the gunfire broke out.
“You heard a lot of shots,” Villatoro said. “I was in the emergency room when I felt a stray bullet hit my foot. I saw a man hit in the face by another bullet. It was terrible. Everyone ran for cover.”