CEBU CITY – Two charges will be filed against a Cebuano rapper who admitted shooting and wounding an American during an argument outside a bar in Barangay Lahug here on Sunday morning, March 17.
CEBUANO rapper Jed Andrew Salera poses for a mugshot after he was arrested for shooting an American outside a bar in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City on Sunday, March 17. (Contributed photo)
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms charges will be filed against Jed Andrew Salera, a rapper popularly known Range 999.
The rapper admitted shooting a 37-year-old American after they argued outside the Agwa Bar, which is just outside the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
The American sustained bullet wounds in the shoulder and leg.
Salera told reporters that a confrontation broke out when the American disrespected his female friends inside the bar.
Based on security camera footage, the American was seen arguing with a group of men and women outside the bar when someone kicked him from behind.
Later, a car driven by the rapper arrived.
The American then went to the driver’s side of the car. A commotion occurred until the foreigner was shot.
Salera fled aboard the car.
Police Maj. Caacoy, chief of the Mabolo Police Station, said the incident happened past 7 a.m.
Salera was arrested in a hot-pursuit operation in the house of his friend in Barangay Quiot here, Caacoy said.
An unlicensed .45 caliber pistol was recovered during the arrest, police said.
The rapper’s father visited him in his detention cell at the Mabolo Police Station on Monday, March 18. “He just told me not to worry too much. He asked for forgiveness. I just didn’t ask him why he did because we are still shocked by the incident,” the father said.
Salera, a native of Boljoon town, Cebu, said he is ready to face the charges that will be filed against him.
He said he has already gone through a lot in life and assured that he will not back down from the situation that he is in right now. “This looks small (pointing to his arms) but I already endured all challenges. I did everything for my family, for my music career. You just don’t know what I have gone through,” said Salera.