Glasgow mum describes horror as men in jet skis fire shots in Cancun

Tracey Cannon was on holiday on Sunday in Mexico when her family was caught in the middle of a fatal shooting outside their hotel.

The 45-year-old, from Toryglen, “ran for her life” alongside her teenage daughter Carys Cannon, 19, her sister Mary Paterson, 60, and brother-in-law Jim Paterson, 60.

Carys escaped the shooting with her mother (Image: Sourced)

The men on jet skis had guns (Image: Sourced)

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The family had been relaxing on Kukulcán Boulevard when Tracey heard loud “bangs” which she mistook for fireworks before seeing men with guns on jet skis.

She was then ordered to “get down” and take cover behind sun loungers as the men fired at the beach tragically killing a 12-year-old boy.

Tracey has now spoken to the Glasgow Times about the ordeal saying: “It was like a horror movie.

"I heard loud bangs and got such a fright. I thought it was fireworks but then I saw men with guns on jet skis just 25 feet from us.

“People were screaming and we were told to ‘get down’. It was horrific and so terrifying, I couldn’t believe it was happening.

“I thought they were going to come onto the beach and shoot us so we decided to make a run for it back to the hotel.

“People were hiding in the shower areas and someone was getting CPR, I was just trying to focus on running for my life with my family to escape.

“Police came into the hotel with metal detectors to check there weren't any bombs in case they had shot at the beach to get everyone to run inside the hotel for another attack.

“It was very traumatic, we wanted to get a flight back home immediately.”

Police arrived at their hotel (Image: Sourced)

The family had been at the beach everyday (Image: Sourced)

Tourists ran for their lives as shots were fired on the beach (Image: Sourced)

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The gunmen are believed to have opened fire to allegedly target a rival drug dealer, according to Mexican officials, American publication ABC reports.

The UK Government has urged against all but essential travel to parts of Mexico warning rival criminal gangs have clashed in popular Cancun tourist destinations and surrounding areas.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated: “Gangs have not targeted tourists, but violent incidents could affect anyone nearby.

"Since 2021, several shootings have affected tourists.”

Tracey had arrived at Hotel Riu Cancun to celebrate her daughter's birthday and recover from an operation she had on her back.

She believed she was going to enjoy a luxury experience for the three week trip before it was cut short by the traumatic ordeal.

The family thought they were going to enjoy a relaxing holiday (Image: Sourced)

The family left their wallets and belongings behind as they ran for their life (Image: Sourced)

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Tracey said: “It was my first time but I will never go back to Cancun even if it was a free holiday I wouldn’t take it.

“We didn’t know there were warnings not to travel to Mexico, I wouldn’t have gone near it if I knew.

“When you book a holiday you aren’t thinking you could get shot at or be in danger, especially when it is supposed to be a luxury resort.

“I feel so terrible for that family who had to go home without their boy, it is really heartbreaking.

“It easily could have been any one of us, we were the lucky ones who got to leave alive and I am grateful for that.

“You never think it will happen to you, I want others to know the dangers and risks before they book up to go.”