video transcript

ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION Seven people were killed in a clash between rival armed groups in the Mexican state of Jalisco on Friday (January 25). Authorities believe that the incident began when a pickup truck escorted by two men on motorcycles was ambushed by gunmen in another vehicle in the municipality of Magdalena. While evading the gunmen, the pickup truck is believed to have struck another vehicle, sending it plunging into a 20-meter (66 foot) gully and killing four people inside, local media reported. The driver of the pickup truck and the driver of one of the motorcycles were both found dead nearby. The second motorcycle driver was wounded and taken to a local hospital by authorities, where he remains in custody. Additionally, an unidentified man was shot and killed in the crossfire, and his wife and daughter were left wounded. Police recovered several weapons, including grenades, from the pickup truck, as well as helmets, bullet-proof vests and radios. Last month, Attorney General Jesus Murillo estimated that some 70,000 people had died in drug-related violence under former President Felipe Calderon. President Enrique Pena Nieto, who took office on December 1, has vowed to curb the violence and has called for the creation of a new militarized police force to take over duties patrolling Mexico's street from the military.