Puebla, Mexico—State Attorney General Idamis Pastor Betancourt confirmed Monday that six of the ten individuals killed during Sunday’s armed assault in Tehuitzingo belonged to the same family. The investigation revealed that the massacre occurred on an isolated ranch known locally as La Marihuana, located roughly 120 kilometers south of the state capital. The remaining four victims were identified as ranch laborers, including two teenagers who were caught in the crossfire.

A one-month-old baby girl was among the deceased discovered at the scene by forensic personnel. Investigators determined the infant did not sustain direct gunshot wounds but suffocated when her mother was shot in the back and collapsed on top of her during the panic. This detail has intensified the severity of the ongoing criminal inquiry, elevating pressure on regional judicial authorities to secure immediate apprehensions.

Preliminary findings released by the prosecutor’s office indicate the primary motive stems from a severe family dispute regarding land inheritance and ownership rights. Investigators have already identified three male relatives of the deceased family members as the principal perpetrators of the armed raid. None of the suspects have been detained, prompting a multi-state search operation involving federal law enforcement agencies.

Local media reports suggest one of the main suspects is the son of the deceased ranch owner, who had recently escaped from a regional substance abuse rehabilitation center. The individual allegedly harbored intense grudges against his parents and siblings, leading him to recruit armed accomplices to execute the fatal assault. This domestic motive marks a departure from the typical cartel-related massacres that frequently occur across central Mexico.

The prosecutor’s office stated that forensic teams recovered extensive ballistic evidence indicating the killers used high-caliber rifles during the close-range executions. The workers were reportedly targeted simply because they witnessed the initial assault on the family members inside the main residence. Legal teams are currently interviewing surviving ranch associates to construct a complete timeline of the suspects' movements.

State authorities face mounting criticism over their failure to monitor the suspect following his escape from the rehabilitation facility. Family members had previously notified local detachments about verbal threats made by the individual regarding the property lines, but no protective measures were instituted. The regional judicial system is now reviewing past domestic incident reports filed by the victims.

Federal forces have established an operational base inside the municipality to prevent the suspects from fleeing across state borders into Guerrero or Oaxaca. The rugged terrain surrounding the ranch features dense brushwood and unmapped trails, providing significant tactical advantages to individuals familiar with the local geography.

The legal status of the targeted ranch remains under official state freeze while the property documentation is verified by judicial authorities. Analysts are examining bank records and land deeds to trace the exact origin of the legal friction between the relatives.

The search for the three named suspects continues across the region, with intelligence units monitoring known safe houses and associate networks. The Attorney General’s office has refused to provide additional details on the search perimeter to avoid compromising active field operations.