In an interview with CNN, two Americans who were kidnapped by a cartel in Mexico revealed what they went through during the harrowing ordeal.
Latavia Washington McGee and Eric Williams told Anderson Cooper about the experience, which took the lives of their friends Shaeed Woodard and Zindell Brown. As they explained, the four U.S. citizens drove through the Mexican border city of Matamoros when they ran into trouble in a side street. “Zindell was in the back seat, he said, ‘Don’t stop,’ he saw a gun,” Washington McGee said. According to the survivors, they were forced to stop by various cartel members, and Woodard and Brown were gunned down as soon as they ran out of their minivan.
"When I jumped out on the driver's side, that's when I was shot in both legs," said Williams, who appeared in a wheelchair during the interview. He recalled seeing “big chunks of meat … gone” from Brown. They were then loaded into the back of a pickup, and at the time their friends were still alive. They were interrogated by the kidnappers, who wore “Diablo masks” and held guns to their heads. Williams revealed that Woodard told them he loved them, and “died right there” during the interrogation.
Williams was later treated for his bullet wounds but was given no pain medicine during the experience. While this was happening, McGee was held in a room with Brown as he struggled to stay awake. "I talked to him the whole time,” she said. “Just told him I was sorry because I asked him to come with me and he just said, 'It's okay I'm your brother, I'm supposed to be there for you, I love you.'" He died shortly after.
At one point, the cartel members attempted to force McGee and Williams to have sex. They informed the gang members they were related, and that she was pregnant.
The Mexican cartel involved in the abduction and murder has reportedly given up those responsible for the incident. “We have decided to turn over those who were directly involved and responsible in the events, who at all times acted under their decision-making and lack of discipline,” a letter from the Scorpions faction of the Gulf cartel read.
They were charged after they were found with their hands tied together near a pickup truck.
