Cartel sez sorry for slays

Turns over goons involved with Mex. kidnap of Yanks

The Scorpions faction of the Gulf cartel — believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of four Americans in the border town of Matamoros, Mexico, last week — condemned the actions of its members who “acted under their own decision-making.”

A Mexican law enforcement source shared a letter with Associated Press, claiming it came from leaders of the cartel. The letter expressed their regrets for the violence that occurred. Two of the Americans and a Mexican bystander were killed in Friday’s ambush.

“We have decided to turn over those who were directly involved and responsible in the events, who at all times acted under their own decision-making and lack of discipline,” the letter said.

The cartel claims “respecting the life and well-being of the innocent” is a rule its rogue members violated. Such missives are sometimes used as a public relations maneuver by gangs hoping to divert negative attention from their businesses operations.

That letter was reportedly accompanied by a photo of five men facedown on the pavement with their hands tied. A separate AP source said those men were found bound in an automobile for which authorities were searching.

CNN said LaTavia Washington McGee, Eric Williams, Shaeed Woodard and Zindell Brown were likely misidentified as rival drug runners.

The quartet traveled from South Carolina for a cosmetic surgery booked by McGee. Woodward and Brown were killed when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle as they searched for the medical clinic, which they’d called for directions. The victims’ families became aware something was wrong when the clinic called looking for McGee after she didn’t show up for her appointment.

Authorities identified the gunmen’s truck, which led them to a house where the victims were located. McGee, a mother of six, and Williams were treated for their injuries. The bodies of Woodward and Brown were scheduled to be returned to U.S. soil.

A fifth passenger, Cheryl Orange, traveled with the victims to Texas, but told authorities she couldn’t cross into Mexico because she had no identification. Orange called police when her friends didn’t return to the Brownsville, Tex., hotel where she was waiting.

“[McGee] simply went for a cosmetic surgery, and that’s it,” Orange said. “That’s all, and this happened to them.

People console each other at vigil in Scranton, S.C., for four Americans from the state who were abducted, two of whom were killed, in Mexico last week. Below r., survivor who was found after group was attacked while riding in van (below l.).