B.C. man shot dead in Mexico robbery

Curtis Rush Police Reporter

A B.C. man from Salt Spring Island has been shot and killed in Mexico during an apparent home invasion.

Robin Wood, whose age has been reported as either 67 or 68, confronted two robbers Monday night inside a home in the Mexican resort town of Melaque on the Pacific coast. One of them was armed with a pistol, according to reports.

He was shot in the chest when they demanded money and computers, media reports say.

The Department of External Affairs will not confirm the age of the victim or even confirm his identity due to privacy concerns.

Wood had returned from a concert when he was shot at the home he was staying at, the CBC reports.

Wood, a retired mechanic, had moved permanently to Mexico a few years ago.

Arvid Chalmers, an island-based realtor who winters in the coastal town, told the news site GulfIslandsDriftwood.com that ?we had a home invasion last night by two robbers, one of whom had a pistol. Robin got involved and was shot as a result.?

Chalmers said he called police when thieves left the home.

He added his friend died en route to hospital in Cihautlan, about 20 kilometres away.

?The robbers left and I called the police, however, we did not get to Cihautlan in time,? Chalmers wrote.

The news site described Wood as a well-known Salt Springer and mechanic, who once owned a garage business on the island.

Erik Lundstrom, 33, who took over the Beddis Road Garage that Wood had owned, told the Toronto Star Tuesday night that Wood was popular and well-known through the island.

?I?m really upset. He?s one of my good buddies,? Lundstrom said. ?He?ll be missed by a lot of people. He loved Mexico.?

Wood also was not the type of guy who would back down from robbers.

?He totally would be stubborn in a situation like that,? Lundstrom said. ?He wouldn?t necessary have fought because he wasn?t a big guy, but he would have gotten his two cents in. He was a passionate guy.?

The victim?s sister, Sharon Tolagson, posted a message of grief on Facebook.

?My heart breaks, my tears fall for my dear brother Robin . . . so needless, so very loved,? she said. ?Sending hugs to all the sad loved ones on Salt Spring right now.?

Melaque is a favorite haunt for many residents of Salt Spring Island and attracts many artists. The small coastal town of about 11,000 is located approximately 220 kilometres south of Puerto Vallarta.

Source: http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1110215--b-c-man-shot-dead-in-mexico-robbery

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