Mexican local official shot dead

BBC News:

Gunmen have killed a senior local official in the state of Michoacan, according to Mexican authorities.

A spokesman said security chief Rogelio Zarazua was dining with his wife in a restaurant in the city of Morelia when three men stormed in and opened fire.

One of Mr Zarazua's bodyguards was also killed by the black-clad gunmen as they left the restaurant, reports said.

Investigators said they suspected that drug smuggling gangs were behind Mr Zarazua's assassination.

They would not say what the motive might have been.

The attack took place in Morelia, 135 miles (215km) west of Mexico City, during a national holiday for Independence Day.

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