One killed in Chinese store shootout in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, May 4 (Xinhua) -- One security guard was killed Sunday during a shootout at a Chinese supermarket in Argentina's Buenos Aires province, local police said.

The shootout began when two gunmen were spotted trying to break into and rob a Chinese store in the city of San Fernando by a security guard named Carlos Molina, said the police.

Molina continued firing after being shot five times by the robbers, who finally gave up the attack and made their escape.

Molina was taken to hospital but died during surgery. The police said that they were still pursuing the suspects.

Argentina's public security has been deteriorating in recent years, with frequent reports of vicious crimes in Chinese stores.

Some 269 Chinese stores were robbed or attacked in the capital Buenos Aires and its surrounding regions in the first three months of 2008 alone, according to statistics from the Chinese supermarket association in Argentina.