# Tamaulipas Says Its Own Police Fired the Shot That Killed a 7-Year-Old Brownsville Girl During the Gulf Cartel Gunfight, Breitbart Reports

The Mexican state now points to its police helicopter, after early reports blamed cartel gunmen. The Navy denied firing, and an investigation is open.

- Section: [Border & Security](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/border-security/)
- Published: 2026-11-01
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/tamaulipas-government-state-police-fired-shot-killed-7-year-old-brownsville-girl-matamoros-breitbart/

The Mexican state of Tamaulipas has said police officers fired the shot that killed a seven-year-old girl from Brownsville, Texas, during Thursday's cartel clashes in Matamoros, Breitbart reports. This corrects an earlier account we carried.

What changed. Our earlier story relayed Breitbart's first report, which said Gulf Cartel gunmen killed the girl. Breitbart now says local outlets reported that Mexican troops fired on the family's vehicle from a helicopter, apparently after mistaking it for a cartel truck. On Friday, Mexico's Navy said its helicopter in the area did not take part in the shootout and did not fire on the family.

The state's statement. On Saturday afternoon, the Tamaulipas government announced an investigation and said there would be no impunity. Breitbart says initial information pointed to state police officers in a state helicopter who allegedly mistook the vehicle for a cartel truck. The state also confirmed five other innocent people died in a crash at the time of the gun battles.

The backdrop. The violence began after federal authorities arrested Axel Alfredo "Titan" Cardenas, described as the Gulf Cartel's number two leader. His organization then launched a large-scale effort to free him, with clashes, burned vehicles and blockades across the city. The girl and her family were driving back to Texas after visiting an elderly relative when they were caught in the crossfire.

What to keep in mind. The state says the investigation is still underway, and Breitbart's headline calls it a confirmation. The report does not include a statement from U.S. officials or from the family. Breitbart now spells the girl's name Aranza Adailini, which differs from the spelling in its earlier report, so we are not repeating either spelling here.

## Source

Original reporting: [Breitbart](https://www.breitbart.com/border/2026/11/01/mexican-border-state-government-confirms-its-cops-fired-the-shot-that-killed-texas-girl-during-cartel-shootout/)