Thousands mourn Mexican musician

Several thousand fans have turned out to mourn a Mexican singer who was murdered shortly after a performance.

Valentin Elizalde died on Saturday along with his manager, Mario Mendoza, and driver, Raymundo Ballesteros.

Their van was ambushed by attackers, who fired a number of bullets following a concert in the Mexican border town of Reynosa, police were quoted as saying.

A large crowd watched as Elizalde's coffin arrived by plane and was then given a police escort to his hometown.

A memorial service was then due to be held at his mother's house in the town - Jitonhueca in Sonora state - according to the Mexican government news agency Notimex.

Accordion music

Elizalde, who was born in 1979, was leaving a "palenque", a small open-air festival, when he was shot.

There has been no confirmation from police about the precise details of the killings, or a motive.

The singer was known for an accordion-based music genre known as norteno, also nicknamed banda or grupero.

"We appreciated all the displays of solidarity and affection from fans, friends and the media," read a message on his website.

"Rest in peace, Valentin Elizalde," it added.