MEXICO — A Utah man and his wife have been killed in Mexico, local news outlets report.

In the Guerrero region near the city of Petatlan, 48-year-old Paul Nielsen and his family were driving from Acapulco to another town early Thursday morning when they didn’t stop at a “community police checkpoint,” according to a report by SDP Noticias.

That’s when local reports say Nielsen and his wife, 43-year-old Janeth Vázquez, were shot and killed.

Their 12-year-old son witnessed the incident and was treated for minor injuries, SDP reports.

The US State Department issued this statement Saturday:

“We are aware of reports of the death of Paul Nielsen in the Mexican state of Guerrero. We extend our sincerest condolences to Mr. Nielsen’s family. Out of respect for the family during this difficult time, we do not have additional information to provide.”

Nielsen’s family here in Utah is asking for help to bring his body back to the United States.

Donations can be made on their GoFundMe page here.