Mexican Beauty Queen Killed in Shootout

A Mexican beauty queen was killed during a weekend shootout in the restive northern state of Sinaloa, authorities said Monday.

Maria Susana Flores Gamez , 20, was the 2012 Woman of Sinaloa. She was killed Saturday during clashes between criminals and military troops in the municipality of Mocorito. Two others, both men, also were killed in the shootout.

Flores Gamez is suspected of having ties to criminals, according to the state attorney general. There was no elaboration on that statement.
In addition to the Woman of Sinaloa pageant, she had participated in the Our Sinaloa Beauty 2012 beauty pageant. Organizers of that contest released a statement, offering their condolences to her family, which received her body Monday.

"We are dismayed by the news -- a beautiful young person, happy, and with a big future ahead of her, " the pageant organizers said. "Rest in peace Susy."

Source: CNN