GUATEMALA ( City Councilman Gunned Down in Guatemala )

GUATEMALA CITY – A member of the municipal council in the eastern Guatemalan city of Jalapa was fatally shot by unknown assailants, first responders said Friday.

Carlos Valdez was slain Thursday night in the capital of Jalapa province, fire rescue spokesman Mario Cruz told reporters.

The shooting took place as the councilman was getting into his vehicle in a parking lot, according to the official report. Valdez, 49, took office in January 2012 after winning election on the ticket of a short-lived coalition of the UNE and GANA parties.

Authorities declined to speculate on the motive of the killers.

With an average of 15 homicides a day, Guatemala is one of the most dangerous nations in Latin America.