February 2, 2004, 11:18 PM EST



TULANCINGO, Mexico -- A fight broke out between two families at an illegal cockfighting den, and seven people were killed, police said Monday.

The two families began fighting and relatives drew pistols and began firing wildly after one person was beaten to death, the regional attorney general's office said. In all, four men died at the scene of the cock fight and two others died en route to hospitals. A seventh person died late Monday, said Jose Luis Alvarado, a spokesman for local authorities.

The fight happened late Sunday night in Tepeyac, 12 miles west of this central Mexican city. Among those killed were three brothers from one family, and three other men from a different family.

Police arrested Efrain Aguilar, a suspected shooter who told investigators he was only defending his cousin and two of his brothers in law who were among those killed.

Authorities also detained the owner of the property where the cock fight took place.

its people like that , that give the sport of cockfighting a bad name

its people like that , that give the sport of cockfighting a bad name

ITA, Cal! How dare they sully the fine reputation of cockfighting, the sport of kings! :lol:

Boy, I say boy, that situation got out of hand. :p