A city in northwest Sonora has been the site of growing violence in recent years. This week, residents lived what’s been called a night of terror after suspected members of organized crime groups unleashed gunfire in the city for more than six hours.

Residents in Caborca reported hours of violence in the wee hours of the morning Wednesday. As many as 20 vehicles with armed men rolled through the streets of town, shooting up buildings and breaking into homes.

Officials said the violence left at least two dead and five missing. The mayor has implemented a curfew.

"We also have a lot of questions. We don't have a lot of answers," said Krimilda Bernal, director of the Oberservatorio Sonora por la Seguridad, a group that monitors security policy in the state.

She said it's still unclear why there was no effective response from police and military stationed nearby, and said leaders have failed in their responsibilities to guarantee Sonorans' safety.

Caborca has seen soaring violence since 2019, and murder rates continue to rise statewide.

Officials said Thursday that three of those kidnapped have been found alive, and at least three suspects have been detained, along with vehicles and weapons.