B.C. senior shot to death in Mexican robbery

Mexican police have confirmed that a 67-year-old man from B.C.'s Salt Spring Island was shot and killed during a robbery at a home in a town popular among Canadian snowbirds.

Police in the Pacific coastal town of Melaque confirmed Robin Wood was killed earlyTuesday morning at the holiday home of fellow Canadian Arvid Chalmers, a well-known realtor onSalt Spring Island.

According to the Gulf Islands Driftwood, Chalmers confirmed the news in an email.

"Unfortunately it is true," Chalmers wrote in a brief email from Mexico on Tuesday afternoon.

"We had a home invasion... by two robbers, one of whom had a pistol. Robin got involved and was shot as a result.

"The robbers left and I called the police, however, we did not get to Cihautlan [the nearest major hospital]in time."

Police director Ruben Hernandez Bonillatold CBC Newsthat robberies in the area and associated murders are very common.

According to the Gulf Islands Driftwood, Wood is the former owner of the Beddis Road Garage and a mechanic at the old Payless Gas station on Rainbow Road.

Melaque is located betweenPuerto Vallarta and Acapulco,just northof Manzanillo.

It is a favourite destination of so-called snowbirds from Canada.