Guatemala City, Jan 20 - Former lawmaker Edgar Almengor Perez was slain Wednesday inside a shopping mall in the Guatemalan capital, authorities said.

"It appears to be a direct attack because the shots were targeted," a police spokesperson told the media.

Almengor, 47, was a member of the right-wing Patriot Party who represented the southwestern province of Suchitepequez in the legislature from 2004-08. He died on the spot.

The assailants fled in a vehicle waiting outside the mall, according to police, who said they have no clues regarding the motive for Almengor's murder.

With an average of 16 homicides a day, Guatemala is one of the most violent countries in Latin America. (IANS)