The State - News from July 31, 1986

A California high school principal, the apparent victim of a robbery, was shot and killed while vacationing in Mexico, the U.S. Embassy reported. Joseph O’Connor, 50, principal of Notre Dame High School in Salinas, was shot by an assailant at his in-laws’ home in a residential neighborhood, an embassy spokeswoman said. “His wallet was taken; he was apparently alone at the time of the attack, but his wife’s parents’ home was not ransacked.” Mexico City police said they are investigating. Violence against U.S. tourists has been a thorny topic in U.S.-Mexican relations. After the kidnap-killing of a U.S. drug agent in February, 1985, and the disappearance of six U.S. citizens, former Ambassador John Gavin caused a stir when he suggested that the U.S. State Department issue a warning against travel to Mexico.