MEXICO (KABC) — An American woman originally from Los Angeles and a man from Belize were tragically killed in what appears to have been a dispute between drug dealers at a beach club in the Mexican resort city of Tulum, officials confirmed on Sunday.

According to authorities, the shooting incident took place on Friday night and resulted in the death of 44-year-old Niko Honarbakhsh, an American woman residing in Cancun. Investigations suggest that she was caught in the crossfire and became an innocent victim of the violent clash.

Authorities emphasized that Honarbakhsh had no affiliation with the alleged drug dealer who was also killed in the incident. Reports circulating in local media suggesting a romantic relationship between the American woman and the Belizean man were denied by prosecutors, who presented a photo showing the man with a different woman.

The victim from Belize, whose identity has not been disclosed, was found to be in possession of cocaine and pills at the time of his death. Investigators believe he was involved in drug dealing activities. The authorities have identified the suspects involved in the shootings and are currently in pursuit of them.

Tulum, located south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, nearer to Belize, has previously witnessed similar incidents where innocent tourists have lost their lives due to drug cartel shootouts. In 2021, two tourists, including a California travel blogger of Indian origin and a German national, were killed while dining at a local restaurant. They tragically found themselves caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between rival drug dealers.

In light of these recurring incidents, the U.S. State Department issued a travel alert last year, urging visitors to exercise heightened situational awareness, particularly during nighttime, at Mexico’s popular Caribbean beach resorts such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

The tragic loss of lives in Tulum is yet another unfortunate event that highlights the ongoing drug-related violence in the region. Local authorities and law enforcement agencies continue their efforts to combat these criminal activities and ensure the safety of residents and tourists alike.

The Associated Press and ABC News contributed to this report.