The unsettling saga of the so-called “Atlixcáyotl Shooter” continues. On Sunday, June 7, 2026, a new attack was reported on a motorist traveling along Vía Atlixcáyotl in Puebla, marking the ninth incident linked to this assailant who has kept drivers and local authorities on edge for weeks.

According to social media reports, the incident occurred around 7:15 p.m. The driver heard an unusual noise while driving but only realized the danger after stepping out of the vehicle to find a bullet had struck the car’s body just inches from the gas tank. Fortunately, no injuries were reported this time, but the close call reignited concerns about the potential for a catastrophic accident.

The threat is escalating

As of last week, Puebla’s Secretary of Public Security officially acknowledged at least eight attacks targeting motorists on Vía Atlixcáyotl and nearby areas. Francisco Sánchez González, head of the department, confirmed that state authorities, the National Guard, and the Secretariat of National Defense have launched special operations to find the perpetrator.

Early attacks appeared to involve air guns or pellet weapons, but recent evidence points to 9mm firearm projectiles, signaling a dangerous escalation in the assailant’s methods.

A vital artery gripped by fear

Vía Atlixcáyotl is one of Puebla’s busiest roads, connecting the city center with San Andrés Cholula and the Angelópolis district. Thousands of commuters use this route daily.

Reports began increasing in late May, involving private cars, company vehicles, and even motorcyclists who reported seeing laser flashes or hearing shots while driving. Attacks have been recorded near Osa Mayor, Torre JV, Angelópolis, and the corporate building corridor. Authorities have withheld exact locations of the shootings to protect the investigation.

No arrests, no formal complaints

A major concern for officials is the lack of formal complaints filed with Puebla’s State Attorney General’s Office, despite widespread media coverage. The Public Security Secretariat acknowledges reports and physical evidence but notes that the absence of official complaints hampers building stronger cases against the suspect.

Meanwhile, the alleged shooter remains unidentified and at large.

The risk of a tragedy looms

Though no fatalities or injuries have been reported so far, security experts warn that each new attack raises the risk of a serious accident. A bullet hitting a windshield, causing a driver to swerve at high speed, or striking a person could trigger multi-vehicle crashes on this heavily trafficked road.

Sunday’s ninth reported attack highlights a troubling reality: despite ongoing operations, investigations, and national media attention, the “Atlixcáyotl Shooter” continues to act with apparent impunity in one of Puebla’s most monitored and busiest areas.

In the midst of this, Puebla’s commitment to improving urban mobility through projects like the cablebús system offers a hopeful contrast—promoting safer, more sustainable transportation options that could reduce reliance on vulnerable roadways and enhance community security.