Mexico: 2 police beaten to death, civilian fatally shot in confrontation over illegal logging

Mexican officials say two policemen have died after people attacked officers and forest rangers looking for suspected illegal loggers in a community near the Popocatepetl volcano outside Mexico City. Authorities say a civilian also has died from a bullet wound.

A statement from the government of Mexico state says that in the midst of the confrontation a gunshot hit a civilian. The residents then grabbed five police officers, dragged them to a community building and severely beat them. Police reinforcements arrived to rescue the officers, but two died later.

State officials say the civilian wounded by a bullet died at a hospital. Their statement says investigators are trying to determine who fired the shot.

No arrests have been made.