Canadian Robin Wood, 67, was shot and killed on Tuesday (January 3) while vacationing in the seaside Mexican town of Melaque in Jalisco state, when two masked gunmen burst into the house where Wood was staying at roughly 0100 hours. Wood was residing in the house with a woman who lives in Puerto Vallarta at the time.
When the intruders demanded money and computers, Wood reportedly said, "No, No," at which point the Canadian was shot in the right side of his chest. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Wood was pronounced dead on arrival at a Melaque hospital.
Blog author's commentary:
As I have said in all too many of my postings where armed robbery occurs, and particularly in Latin America, where most assailants carry firearms, resisting an armed robbery is NEVER a good idea.
First of all, few criminals in Mexico ever see the inside of a prison cell, largely because of the low arrest rate. Second, experienced criminals in Mexico are prepared to kill victims if they RESIST, which is why I so passionately urge against resistance. Where money and valuables are demanded, I have rarely seen victims harmed if they give up what criminals have demanded. On the other hand, I can offer countless case studies of foreigners who have been shot and killed in Mexico simply because they RESISTED.
Please: If an armed criminal demands your money or valuables, give them up willingly, as no amount of property is worth YOUR life.
Great blog, by the way. Staying Safe Abroad. |