EXCLUSIVE: 7-year-old American girl killed by gunfire from Mexican police helicopter

EXCLUSIVE: 7-year-old American girl killed by gunfire from Mexican police helicopter by Yami Virgin, Photojournalist Paul Sanchez and Investigative Producer Natalie Medina Mon, November 9, 2026 at 9:58 PM Updated Tue, November 10, 2026 at 5:21 AM 6 VIEW ALL PHOTOS A 7-year-old American girl was killed by a bullet fired from a Mexican state police helicopter during a security operation in Matamoros, Mexico, according to findings released by Tamaulipas prosecutors. (SBG San Antonio) Comment on this story 0 Comment Share story Share topics: Matamoros Tamaulipas Mexican helicopter Gulf Cartel Ballistics U.S. Consulate ASYLUM Gunfire SAN ANTONIO, Texas — A 7-year-old American girl was killed by a bullet fired from a Mexican state police helicopter during a security operation in Matamoros, Mexico, according to findings released by Tamaulipas prosecutors. Aranza Aydelany Pardo was traveling with her parents and five siblings when the family came under fire amid violence that erupted following the arrest of an alleged Gulf Cartel leader. All children are U.S. citizens. In an exclusive interview with FOX SA, Aranza's mother described the terrifying moments when gunfire struck their vehicle, killing her daughter and leaving her with a gunshot wound to her leg. A family's desperate attempt to escape The family was traveling near Matamoros when cartel-related violence triggered roadblocks, burning vehicles, and widespread chaos. Aranza's mother said the roadblocks forced her husband off the Reynosa-Matamoros highway and onto another route. That's when she said a helicopter began circling their vehicle. Her husband tried signaling to the people aboard the aircraft, hoping they would see the children inside. Moments later, gunfire erupted. I told my daughter because she said, 'Mommy, I'm scared,' I told her to lean against the seat," the mother recalled. "Then five seconds later she told me, 'Mommy, they killed China. They shot her in the head.' Then I grabbed my daughter, and she was already dead. China was the family's affectionate nickname for Aranza because of her curly hair. Her mother said the bullet that killed Aranza also struck her leg. "I grabbed my daughter and I fell, but I grabbed my daughter tight and dragged her and I on the ground," she said. The mother claimed the helicopter continued circling as the family desperately tried to escape. Mexican prosecutors confirm bullet came from state helicopter By Nov. 6, Mexican prosecutors had confirmed that the bullet that killed Aranza came from a Tamaulipas State Guard helicopter. Ballistics testing linked the 7.62 mm projectile to weapons carried aboard the aircraft. Authorities said four people were aboard the helicopter: a pilot and three armed officers. Investigators had not identified which officer fired the fatal shot. The Tamaulipas Public Security Secretariat said the helicopter was conducting reconnaissance operations when officers came under fire from the ground and returned fire. Aranza's mother disputes that account, insisting her family was not involved in any confrontation. They attacked us. They shot at us. There was no one else there, only us and the albañiles, and they shot at us," she said, referring to construction workers nearby. She also said Mexican authorities visited the family and told them investigators had identified the helicopter involved. "They came to my sister's house and told us that they had the soldiers who were on the helicopter," she said. "They are doing tests and they know it was a state police officer. It wasn't a stray bullet. They knew who it was." Mother says roadblocks delayed medical help After the shooting, the mother said she was left bleeding while holding her daughter's body. Roadblocks prevented an ambulance from reaching the family, leaving them stranded for hours. Neighbors eventually came to help. One man used a bandana in an attempt to stop the mother's bleeding. But the emotional wounds have been just as devastating. The mother said her 12-year-old daughter witnessed Aranza's death and is struggling to cope with what happened. They are all affected by this, especially the 12-year-old girl who saw it and now tells me, 'Mommy, don't cry. Everything is going to be OK. Aranza is resting.' American children caught in the violence The family had moved to Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville, seeking a more affordable life. Both parents had lived legally in the United States for years, and all six of their children were born American citizens, according to the family. Following the shooting, the parents said they no longer feel safe living in Mexico. Aranza's mother said the U.S. Consulate has been in contact with the family. The parents are now seeking asylum in the United States. "I want to see if they will give us asylum here," the mother said. "We don't know if we will be safe." A mother's demand for justice For Aranza's family, the investigation is about more than identifying the person who pulled the trigger. Her mother wants accountability for the death of her daughter. I only want justice for my daughter. I don't want them to drop it," she said. "It's been a week. I will never forget this, much less that they killed my daughter. I want justice. I want them to pay for it. She described Aranza as a happy little girl who loved dancing, singing, and playing with her siblings. "A happy child, never angry, always laughing, dancing, singing, playing," she recalled. But one of the hardest moments has been explaining to her surviving children why their sister will never come home. "Very close to her siblings. Now the little one asks when her sister is coming back, if she will wake up one day and return home." For a family of six American children caught in violence just across the Texas border, five survived. Their mother says life will never be the same without Aranza. Trending Family of five killed after SUV leaves wet I-10 overpass in Seguin, parents identified Rain-slicked IH-10 in Seguin turned deadly when a Chevrolet Tahoe left an overpass near FM 725, killing a Porter family of five, including three children. FM 725 was shut for hours as police investigate. 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