BACOLOD CITY – An elderly woman was shot dead by her own husband after he mistook her for a prowler inside their house in Barangay Orong, Kabankalan City in Negros Occidental, Friday night.
Police withheld the names of the 76-year-old victim, and her 80-year-old husband.
According to the police, the couple was fast asleep at around 11 p.m. when the suspect was awakened by the barking of dogs.
He first felt around for his wife, and thought she was just beside him as he thought he had her beside him when, in fact, it was just a pillow that was covered with the blanket.
The husband then noticed someone lurking inside their house, but could not identify the prowler because it was dark.
Fearing that it could be a criminal, he reportedly shot at the person.
However, when he turned on the lights, he saw his wife lying on the floor with a gunshot wound in the head.
The victim was brought to the hospital where she was pronounced dead on-arrival.
Police said the suspect reportedly threw the unknown firearm at a nearbly sugarcane field, and fled.
The family was not planning to pursue charges against the suspect, according to the police.