By GLAZYL MASCULINO
BACOLOD CITY – A 12-year-old boy tagged in the kidnapping of a five-year-old girl was shot dead in Cuadra Locsin St., Barangay 12, this city, on Saturday, July 13.

A 12-year-old boy was shot dead in a street corner in Barangay 12, Bacolod City on Saturday, July 13. (Photo courtesy of Police Station 1)
Police Major Elmer Bonilla, head of Police Station 1, said the victim, who was allegedly mentally challenged, was standing on a street in front of a popular grocery when a man onboard a motorcycle approached and shot him in the head.
Bonilla said that according to the victim’s parents, their son would often go out of their house, join a group of young people, and loiter on the sidewalk.
He was among the three persons seen with the girl when authorities rescued her in Barangay Villamonte here on July 1.
Two adult suspects have been charged for the abduction, but the case against the victim did not prosper, according to Bonilla.
The search for the missing girl from Talisay City, Negros Occidental, went viral on social media, leading to her whereabouts.
However, despite the victim’s alleged link to the abduction case, Bonilla said they could not confirm if it has something to do with his death.
Recovered from the crime scene was an empty fired cartridge.
Police continue to probe the incident.