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Family member says relatives murdered in Mexico had ties to Williston, N.D.

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Some of the nine members of an American family who were killed while traveling in northern Mexico have ties to North Dakota.

KXNET.com reports that family member Kenny LeBaron said Rhonita Miller was living in Williston with her son and daughter.

He said the family's convoy of three SUVs carrying as many as 13 people was attacked. LeBaron said family members were then kidnapped.

Nine people, including six children, were killed by gunfire and some of them burned when one of the vehicles burst into flames.

RELATED: Nine family members killed after attack on Mormon group traveling near US/Mexican border

Another relative who asked not to be named said he had located one of the burned-out, bullet-ridden SUVs containing the remains of one woman and four children.

LeBaron said those victims have ties to Williston, KXNET reports.

According to the Associated Press, Mexico’s federal Department of Security and Citizens’ Protection said security forces were reinforced with National Guard, army and state police troops in the area to search for more missing people.

Another relative said the attack may have been a case of mistaken identity on the part of the drug cartel.