The southern Mexican state of Guerrero called on Friday for the central government to help investigate the murder of journalist Cecilio Pineda, which took place Thursday in the town of Pungarabato.

The state's prosecutor-general Xavier Olea told a press conference that initial investigations have turned up a line of inquiry on those behind the crime, who allegedly belong to an organized crime group.

However, he said he needed the help of Mexico's special prosecutor for crimes against journalists so that more investigators will be assigned to the case.

Pineda died on Thursday evening when a gunman shot him dead with a pistol as his car was being washed in the town. The gunman then left the crime scene on a motorcycle, driven by an accomplice.

Pineda was an editor for the local newspaper La Voz de Tierra Caliente, and covered security matters for other local media, including El Debate de los Calentanos and El Despertar del Sur.

The journalist had survived a first attempt against his life when he was shot outside his house.

Xinhua: Source