BOULDER, Colo. -- The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City said a University of Colorado student was shot and killed in an attempted robbery in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Embassy spokeswoman Judith Bryan said 21-year-old David Parrish of Boulder was shot when he resisted the robbery attempt on Wednesday.

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A Mexican newspaper reported that Daniel Vargas Castañeda was arrested on suspicion of shooting Parrish in the abdomen with a .38-caliber revolver. Parrish was taken to the city's Hospital San Javier, where he died, according to the newspaper.

Bryan said Friday that Mexican authorities arrested two suspects but their names haven't been released.

Parrish graduated from Boulder High in 2005 and was studying geography at CU, according to school records. He grew up in Boulder. His sister also graduated from Boulder High, and his parents still live here, reported the Daily Camera

Parrish's parents, who also live in Boulder, declined comment.

"It's an absolute tragedy," said CU spokesman Bronson Hilliard. "It's a huge loss for our community." CU and Boulder High counselors will be ready Monday to talk with teachers and students.

Parrish was on Boulder High's tennis team all of his four years there. His former coach, Gale Howard, told the Camera Friday he was stunned to hear about the death of his former player who "didn't have a mean bone in him."

"This is the worst thing I've ever heard," Howard said. "This is such a loss."