Mormon teenager who survived Mexican cartel massacre speaks out for the first time

A 13-year-old Mormon boy who survived a Mexican cartel ambush that killed his mother has spoken for the first time and described his horrific ordeal.

Devin Langford was with his siblings and extended family in a convoy of cars heading through northern Mexico to a wedding party when their group came under attack on November 4. Nine US-Mexican citizens, including Devin’s mother, died in the gunfire.

The teenager said the last thing his mother said to him before she was fatally shot was "get down right now."

Sitting beside his father, he told a US breakfast television show: "She was trying to pray to the lord, and she was trying to start the car up to get out of there."

Dawna Langford, his mother, and his younger brothers, Trevor, 11, and two-year-old Rogan, were among the nine women and children killed in the brazen midday attack.

“They just started hitting the car first, like with a bunch, a bunch of bullets,” he said.

“Just start shooting rapidly at us. The car didn't work. So she was just trying right there, starting the car as much as she could, but I'm pretty sure they shot something so the car wouldn't even start."

Mexico’s government has vowed to track down the perpetrators, but no arrests have yet been made. One man was detained last week, after being found with rifles, ammunition and two hostages, but was later found to be unconnected to the massacre.

Alfonso Durazo, Mexico’s security minister, said perhaps the victims were mistaken for cartel operatives, but members of the LeBaron family said they believe they were deliberately targeted for their comparative wealth and refusal to submit to cartel demands.

Devin said the seven surviving children were left on the side of the road.

"Afterward, they got us out of the car, and they just got us on the floor and then they drove off," he added.

The teenager, who was not physically harmed in the attack, then set off to seek help, covering his injured siblings with branches and hiding them in the bushes.

"We walked a little while until we couldn't carry them no more,” he explained.

“And so we put them in the bushes so they wouldn't get hit or nothing. So I started walking. Every one of them were bleeding really bad. So I was trying to get in a rush to get there."

He walked for about 14 miles, through the night, to raise the alarm. He said the gunmen had long guns and he feared for his life the entire time.

As he made the trek for help, he said he wondered "if there was anybody else out there trying to shoot me or following me" and he thought about "my mom and my two brothers that died."

Devin’s father, David, said his son had saved the others’ lives.

"Every one of my children that survived that are living miracles," he said.

"How many bullet holes were fired into that vehicle… at that horrific scene and how many children were involved. It's amazing. It's amazing. It's beyond amazing that they survived.

"To be honest with you, my boy's a hero simply because he gave his life for his brothers and sisters."

Funerals were held on Thursday, and Mr Langford and much of his extended family now say they are leaving northwest Mexico.

"It's not worth living in fear," he said. "The toughest part for me was saying goodbye - saying goodbye to two innocent lives that were cut short and a vibrant wife that lived a life to its fullest that had many friends and was loved by everybody."

Devin said he is now focusing on helping his siblings heal, and keeping his mother's memory alive.

"She was a nice person,” he said. “And a brave woman that tried to save her kids."