In Washington the State Department has indicated it is not going to press the Mexican government over the murder of American journalist Brad Will. He was shot dead on Friday by Mexican gunmen tied to the government. He died with his video camera in his hand.

• State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack: “Well anytime you resort to violence which results in the death of a citizen whether it’s American or any other nationality, it’s a source of concern. But that is really going to be up to the Mexican government — to deal with–how they deal with this I understand originally started out as a series of protests–they turned violent and the Mexican authorities are dealing with them.”

McCormack was later asked whether the Bush administration would demand the Mexican government investigate who is responsibility for the murder of Will. McCormack claimed the State Department is not aware that anyone linked to Will’s death has been identified. However the Mexican press has published a photograph taken at the scene showing the armed men. They have been identified as Juan Carlos Soriano, Manuel Aguilar, Abel Santiago Zárate and Pedro Caramona. All four men are connected to the local government. They are reportedly now in custody.