Shootout kills 16 in Mexico’s Acapulco resort

ACAPULCO, Mexico – A military official said 15 gunmen and a soldier were killed in a two-hour shootout in the heart of Acapulco’s hotel zone.

The army colonel who led the battle against the gunmen said the shootout erupted when the military received a tip about the presence of armed men at a house in the hotel zone.

He said the gunmen opened fire with assault rifles and about 50 grenades on soldiers who arrived at the house. The soldiers found four Guerrero state police officers inside the house who said they were being held captive by the gunmen.

The colonel led reporters through the scene early Sunday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of security reasons.

The gun battle started Saturday night and went on past midnight.