Cancun Shooting: Hyatt guests told to shelter in place amid reports of active shooter on property

CANCUN, Mexico — Staff at the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun hotel in Mexico on Thursday told guests to seek shelter amid reports of an active shooter at the resort, a person staying at the hotel confirmed to ABC News.

The oceanfront hotel is popular with American tourists.

Jim Wildermuth, a hotel guest and U.S. citizen who lives in Atlanta, told ABC News that he heard shots fired at the location.

Shortly after 2 p.m. local time, Wildermuth said, he was at the pool outside of his room with a couple of other guests when they heard these “cracks.”

“We kind of looked at each other funny,” he said, and they then ran up to their rooms, where they were told to shelter in place because there was an active shooter on the property.

Wildermuth said he has been sitting in his room for about an hour with the drapes closed and has not heard shots fired since, but later saw military personnel in front of the hotel and staff directing people into what he believed was the main lobby area.

Hyatt released a statement, saying: “The safety and wellbeing of guests and colleagues is always a top priority. We are aware of a developing situation at Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun. We understand the hotel team immediately engaged local authorities who are on the scene investigating the situation. The hotel team is taking steps in an effort to ensure the safety of guests and colleagues, and further questions may be directed to local authorities.”