BACOLOD CITY – A man wanted for frustrated homicide was killed in a shootout with the police in Barangay Punao, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental on Thursday, December 21.
Police identified the suspect as Geraldo Lopez Jr. of Barangay Punao.
Police Lt. Col. Jesus Mesahon Jr., San Carlos police chief, said police were conducting surveillance in the area when they spotted the suspect walking.
Police approached the suspect but he ran and fired at lawmen who retaliated and wounded Lopez.
Lopez was taken taken to a hospital where he was declared dead. Recovered from him were a .45 caliber pistol and four fired bullet shells.
“He (suspect) was armed and dangerous,” said Mesahon, adding that many witnesses saw the shootout.
Mesahon said a warrant of arrest was issued against the suspect as a result of a shooting incident in 2017 in Barangay 5, San Carlos City.
Police are probing if the suspect was part of a gun-for-hire group.
Mesahon said the suspect’s firearm was subjected to ballistic examination to check if it was used in other shooting incidents in the city.