A 'La Santa Muerte' cult leader killed at an altar to the skeletal figure

Two different group were killed and 8 injured successful nan attack, officials say.

MEXICO CITY -- A section leader of nan Mexican people saint cult “La Santa Muerte” was gunned down astatine an altar to nan skeletal fig precocious Friday, authorities said.

Two different group were killed and 8 injured successful nan onslaught successful nan metropolis of Leon, successful Guanajuato state, nan authorities added.

The saint — whose sanction intends astir “Holy Death” — is often worshipped by convicts, supplier addicts and criminals, on pinch different group who consciousness excluded aliases are experiencing difficulties successful life.

The saint, who is not recognized by nan Roman Catholic church, is usually depicted arsenic a female skeleton, and is expected to protect her followers from death.

But that didn’t activity for “La Madrina Chayo,” a female considered a leader of nan cult successful nan north-central authorities of Guanajuato.

Prosecutors did not springiness her existent name, successful keeping pinch Mexican law, but nan nickname “La Madrina Chayo” was utilized by a religion healer besides known arsenic “Chayito.”

She, different female and a boy were changeable dormant Friday arsenic they prepared nan yearly Santa Muerte celebration.

There was nary contiguous accusation connected nan information of nan 8 people, including 2 children wounded successful nan shooting onslaught connected nan thoroughfare area altar.

Like Mexico's Day of nan Dead holiday, nan Santa Muerte is honored connected Nov. 1 and 2.

Roman Catholic leaders successful Mexico person condemned nan deity’s relationship to unit and nan illicit supplier trade.

Clad successful a achromatic nun’s clothes and holding a scythe successful 1 hand, Santa Muerte appeals to group seeking each mode of otherworldly help: from fending disconnected wrongdoing and carrying retired vengeance to stopping lovers from cheating and landing amended jobs. Others activity her protection for their supplier shipments and to ward disconnected rule enforcement.

While nan cult whitethorn sound ominous, nan yearly celebrations honoring nan Santa Muerte are friends affairs, pinch group warmly greeting chap worshippers and offering them mini gifts.

For years, Guanajuato has had nan highest number of homicides of immoderate authorities successful Mexico because of ongoing turf battles betwixt rival supplier cartels.