ExxonMobil executive killed in Belgium

BRUSSELS -- An executive for ExxonMobil, the world's largest oil company, has been killed in front of his wife on a street in a suburb of the Belgian capital of Brussels.

Nicholas Mockford, a British national, was shot as he left an Italian restaurant in Neder-over-Heembeek on Oct. 14. Belgian authorities had imposed a news blackout, which they said was common in investigations of serious crimes.

A spokesman for ExxonMobil said Friday that the company was "shocked by the very tragic death." Mockford had a long career with ExxonMobile, the spokesman said.

A Belgian police report said Mockford and his wife, Mary, were walking toward their car when two men tried to grab Mrs. Mockford's purse. Mockford was shot four times and died on the spot, police said.