OAXACA: A state police official says gunmen stormed a rural town in southern Mexico and killed 13 people, including a rancher and his three sons.

The official says the hooded assailants drove into the town of San Vicente Camalote in several vehicles, firing guns.

He says they stormed the ranch of Alfonso Maciel, killing him, his three adult sons and four other people in the town. He says the gunmen then killed five local police officers who tried to fight back. He says the assailants are believed to have kidnapped several people in the town.

He says investigators suspect Tuesday night's attack was related to drugs.

The official spoke Wednesday on condition of anonymity out of concern for his safety.