Fatal shooting reported during Solomun’s set at Tehmplo Tulum

A man was shot and killed early Friday morning (January 9) during Tehmplo Tulum, prompting an investigation by state authorities.

According to local news outlet Quintana Roo Hoy, the shooting occurred in the early morning hours during Solomun’s set at the festival.

Unofficial reports cited by the outlet state that an armed individual fired multiple shots, hitting the victim in the chest and back before fleeing the scene.

Municipal police officers were reportedly unable to immediately enter the premises, and an ambulance later confirmed the victim’s death. No arrests were made at the scene.

Wololo Sound reported that the Quintana Roo State Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía General del Estado/FGE) later clarified that the shooting occurred on a dirt road near the venue, not inside the festival grounds.

Read this next: Gunman’s stray bullets injures clubgoers during Songkran festivities in Bangkok

Authorities identified the victim as a male seasonal worker and described the incident as a targeted attack. In a statement, the FGE said the shooting did not pose a risk to event attendees.

According to a post by Quintana Roo Ahora on X, the killing occurred shortly after the municipal government publicly stated that Tulum had gone two months without recorded executions.

Read this next: Filipino radio host fatally shot while livestreaming from home

The post also that the victim was the first homicide registered in the municipality in 2026 under the current administration and referenced figures indicating that roughly 60 homicides were recorded in Tulum during 2025.

In addition, it also stated that official confirmation of the incident came only after reports from attendees circulated on social media, writing “For several hours, government officials remained silent, allegedly to avoid damaging the image of the destination during peak tourist season. The music kept playing while the murder was effectively swept under the rug.”

An investigation has been opened for aggravated homicide. Municipal, state, and federal authorities are working jointly to identify those responsible.

Investigators are looking into a possible drug-related connection but are also pursuing other leads.

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.

Cut through the noise—sign up for our weekly Scene Report or follow us on Instagram to get the latest from Asia and the Asian diaspora!