An American tourist has been killed by a stray bullet while holidaying in Mexico with her husband to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary.
Tatiana Mirutenko, a 27-year-old pharmaceutical analyst from California, was fatally shot leaving an upscale taco restaurant with her partner, James Hoover, and two other friends, in Mexico City in the early hours of Saturday.
Mexico City authorities say gunmen on a motorbike opened fire as they travelled through the wealthy capital neighbourhood of Lomas de Chapultepec.
The city prosecutor’s office believe the men intended to target a bouncer working at a bar in the area when Ms Mirutenko was struck in the head by a bullet.
“A year ago, we were selecting flowers for the wedding,” her father Wasyl Mirutenko told ABC 7. “Today we were looking at flowers for the funeral.”
Officials say the 46-year-old man was wounded, but survived and was taken to hospital. There is no indication the two victims knew each other. No arrests have been made.
Days before she was killed, Ms Mirutenko shared photos from her wedding day on July 1 last year which she had captioned with a heart.
The photos showed her embracing and kissing her husband, who also shared a photo of them celebrating their wedding on the roof of a Chicago hotel with the caption: “Happy anniversary, love! @tmenko #oneyearanniversary.”
The couple wanted to dine in as many Michelin starred restaurants as possible during their anniversary trip, local media reports.
Mr Hoover shared photos on Instagram from one restaurant trip, telling one friend about an “incredible meal” he had earlier enjoyed in Quintonil, named as one of the world’s top 50 restaurants.
The US Bureau of Consular Affairs confirmed Ms Mirutenk’s death in a statement, adding: “We extend our sincere condolences to friends and family members of the deceased.
“The US Embassy in Mexico City is providing all appropriate consular services to her family. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.”
Her work colleagues paid tribute to Ms Mirutenk, calling her a “bright and passionate rising star” who had “positive energy, insight and sheer enthusiasm for life”.
The wealthy neighbourhood of Lomas de Chapultepec is home to the rich and famous, including Angelica Rivera, the First Lady of Mexico.