Prison-bus guards fight off gunmen

By Daniel Borunda \ El Paso Times
Posted: 12/31/2011 09:43:41 AM MST

Gunmen attacked an armored prisoner transport bus Thursday night on the road between Nuevo Casas Grandes and Juárez, said Chihuahua authorities on Friday.

Because the bus was bulletproof, the assault produced no major damage or serious injury, officials said.

The state prosecutor's office said two guards received minor injuries from metal splinters during the shootout, but the bus managed to deliver three inmates from a prison in Nuevo Casas Grandes to the state prison in Juárez. Nuevo Casas Grandes is about 150 miles southwest of Juárez.

Soon after 7 p.m., gunmen fired at the bus on a stretch of road between Nuevo Casas Grandes and Janos, officials said. Guards asked for emergency help and returned fire, but it was unknown whether any of the assailants were shot.

State, local and federal police were unable to find the attackers during a search of northwestern Chihuahua near the towns of Nuevo Casas Grandes, Janos and Ascensión. It was not disclosed who was riding in the prison bus.

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_19649480