Indymedia Reporter Gunned Down in Mexico

(Oaxaca, Mexico) A 36-year-old activist reporter, Bradley Roland Will of New York City, was shot and killed yesterday in the southern Mexican city of Oaxaca when gunfire erupted during a street protest. Leftist protesters had barricaded the streets, calling for the ouster of Oaxaca Governor Ruiz.

From AP:

The gunfire erupted in a rough Oaxaca neighborhood Friday when armed men tried to remove a blockade set up by protesters who are demanding the resignation of Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz, said state officials and witnesses. Both sides fired but it was not clear who shot first.

Bradley Roland Will, 36, from New York City, was shot in the abdomen and died later at a Red Cross hospital, police, witnesses and friends said. Will worked for Indymedia.org, an independent Web-based media organization and also sold video footage on freelance basis, said friends and Indymedia colleague Hinrich Schuleze.

Indymedia reports that Mr. Will was an activist and, as such, he was possibly helping with the barricades and right in the middle of the gunplay.

There's disagreement regarding the identity of the armed group who tried to remove the barricades. Oaxaca government officials state it was armed residents tired of the "permanent violence, threats and kidnappings." The U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Tony Garza, believes it was the police. Previous skirmishes with the leftists involved both armed gangs and the police.

Who specifically killed Bradley Will may never be known. Gunfire reportedly came from many directions.