Grenade attack at Matamoros city hall; 3 injured

Panic ripped through downtown Matamoros after a grenade attack at city hall injured several people this morning. Federal and military authorities cordoned off the main plaza.

And just a short time ago Instituto Tecnologico Matamoros was ordered shut down because of threats of possible attacks on the university.

In the grenade attack, a Mexican law enforcement official, whose name is not being released for security reasons, said that at approximately 9:30 a.m. an SUV sped past the building and threw a grenade.

The blast injured at least three people. One of the victims was in the building, the other two were passersby. All three were transported to a local hospital.

Matamoros Mayor Eric Silva was not injured in the attack, although officials are not saying whether Silva was in city hall at the time.

Brownsville Mayor Pat M. Ahumada Jr. has been in close contact with Silva Santos’ personal staff and was assured that he is fine and was not in the building when the grenade was thrown.

Of the attack, Ahumada said, "It’s not unexpected. We’ve seen it coming from Laredo on down for a number of years. It’s getting worse and worse."

He said that criminals are causing, "chaos, havoc and fear."

Ahumada said it is very alarming to Brownsville residents who have relatives in Mexico.

"It makes no sense to us." But he also noted that the U.S. is involved in some manner by providing the criminals with firepower. "Where are they getting the weapons?"

Officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection say officers remain vigilant and on alert.

"We are in communication with our counterparts in Mexico and will use any and all means available to us to ensure the safety of the traveling public, our facilities and our officers," said CBP spokesman Eduardo G. Perez.

At the university, federal authorities are guarding the school. The campus has been shut down and everyone has been sent home.

Mexican federal authorities continue to investigate the attack.