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A Southern California family was ambushed by gunmen while vacationing in Mexico, leaving one dead and three injured. Family members say it was a case of mistaken identity.On July 31, four members of the Ramos family were driving down a road in Periban, Michoacán in Mexico when their SUV was ambushed and attacked. Jesus Ramos, 19, was critically injured while his brother Bruno, 18, was put in a medically-induced coma after being admitted to the hospital due to his injuries. Their father, Ignacio, was shot in the arm, while their uncle, Ramon, was killed at the scene. Family members believe a drug cartel mistakenly targeted them.
A photo published by the Mexican news agency Quadratin shows the family's SUV riddled with bullet holes.
"It's horrifying," their cousin, Sonia Marquez Lazarraga, told the Camarillo Acorn. "They weren't part of anything, so we don't know exactly what happened."
Both brothers have since been transported back to California and were being treated in a San Diego hospital. Jesus was recently discharged while Bruno has reportedly been awoken from his coma and is responsive and recovering. Both brothers were shot in the head, but according to CBS 2, Jesus was fortunate that the bullet didn't penetrate his skull.
Both Ramos brothers had attended Channel Islands High School in Oxnard. Jesus graduated last year and currently attends CSU Channel Islands, while Bruno was planning on attending the university in the fall. The Channel Islands High School community recently held a fundraiser to support the family.
"We all came together and decided to get a car wash together to help the family," their high school wrestling coach, Peter Rivas, told KEYT. "You can't leave Channel Islands High School—once you are a Raider, you know we are always family."
A GoFundMe was set up to help cover the Ramos family's expenses.
Mexican police are investigating the shooting.
