Employee held in slaying of gym owner from U.S.

TIJUANA: A U.S. citizen who owned a gymnasium in eastern Tijuana was shot and killed by an employee after an argument, the Baja California Attorney General's Office said yesterday.

Benjamin Ulysses Benson, 54, owner of Aquiles Gym in Los Pinos, was killed after arguing with instructor Crecencio Cristian Merlos, 40, the agency reported. Merlos has been arrested and faces murder charges.

In a brief interview with reporters, Merlos said he shot Benson after the two had argued. Benson told Merlos that he had a gun, and dared Merlos to use it.

“He said the first one who grabs it will live,â€