Hotel horror as man shot dead by assassins

Horrified tourists were forced to remain inside a Cancun hotel after a businessman was reportedly shot dead by assassins who fled on jetskis.

Horrified tourists were forced to remain inside a Cancun hotel after a businessman was reportedly shot dead by assassins who fled on jetskis.

The targeted attack took place behind the Riu Caribe, a five-star resort in Cancun, Mexico shortly before midday on Wednesday, local time.

The unidentified victim, understood to be a 30-year-old businessman from Mexico, was gunned down by four armed men, before they fled the scene – two on jetskis and two running away on foot.

According to local publication, Turquesa News, the victim was allegedly in charge of the jet skis the suspects used to flee.

A man was shot dead near a popular five-star resort in Cancun, Mexico.

Viral footage shared to X shows guests of Riu Caribe, near where the horror unfolded, frantically scrambling around the hotel foyer as they wait for direction from staff.

“These were the moments of terror experienced by the tourists who were staying at the Riu Palace Hotel in the hotel zone of Paradise #Cancún when a subject was executed with several shots,” a video caption translated from Spanish to English read.

Police arrived at the scene, behind the Riu Caribe, but the four men had fled. Picture: Riviera Maya News

According to local media, the male victim was shot several times and left for dead in the sand behind the hotel.

It is understood two offenders ran up the beach to where they boarded jet skis.

A Marina boat was sent out in search of the jet skis used in the escape, Riviera Maya News reported.

The victim, understood to be a 30-year-old businessman from Mexico, was allegedly in charge of the jet skis two of the suspects used to flee. Picture: X/PorEsto!Online

The Riu Caribe Hotel released a statement that the victim was not a hotel guest, nor was he an employee of the hotel. Police have not identified the deceased man, but paramedics confirmed he was dead at the scene.

Terrified tourists were forced indoors of the luxury hotel. Picture: X/QuintanaRooNews

The hotel confirmed the victim was not a guest, nor hotel staff. Picture: X/QuintanaRooNews

Police and army personnel immediately responded to reports of gunshots as hotel guests and staff ran for cover.

A land search for clues to who was responsible was also carried out, Riviera Maya News reported.

Authorities cordoned off the affected area while evidence was collected and the body removed. Local authorities have not released any official statement on the shooting.

According to Smartraveller, tourists should exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico “due to the threat of violent crime”.

The US State Department lists Mexico at a tier two advisory level and explains that while Mexican authorities endeavour to safeguard the country’s major resort areas and tourist destinations, “those areas have not been immune to the types of violence and crime experienced elsewhere in Mexico”.