Associated Press
October 13, 2008
MONTERREY, Mexico — The gate at the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey was pockmarked with bullet holes Monday, a day after assailants shot at the building and threw a grenade that failed to explode. No one was injured.
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
The consulate issued a statement saying that two men launched the attack around midnight Saturday, when the consulate was closed. Six spent .45-caliber casings were found at the scene.
It was not clear if the attack was related to a wave of violence by drug gangs and no evidence it was related to political terrorism, though fears persist that international terrorists might use Mexico to attack U.S. interests.
Officials were analyzing the consulate’s security video, but had no suspects and had not determined a motive.
The consulate increased security and expressed “profound concern.”
Offices were closed Monday because it was Columbus Day in the U.S., but two police pickups were stationed outside the building. A guard on duty said he was at the consulate when he heard the shots fired. He ran to the front, but the assailants already had fled.
The guard, who wasn’t authorized to give his name, said the grenade didn’t go off because the pin wasn’t removed.
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