I heard a woman on Rush today who said that this is what has happened to her sister. Conditions at the hotel were dreadful with no plumbing, air conditioning, food, or water. The hotel charged then charged them $75.00 a person to rent a vehicle, but the vehicle was comandeered by thugs, so the hotel told the guests to walk to the convention center. She said she had not heard from her sister since they left the hotel.
Sad to hear. I posted that because I travel a lot, and have been there, done that. Can never overemphasize plan ahead. If things even start to look dicey, leave the area.