BACOLOD CITY – The 33-year-old son of the chairman of Barangay Isio, Cauayan, Negros Occidental was arrested following the fatal shooting of a 30-year-old laborer on New Year’s Day due to firecrackers.
Police Lt. Col. Norberto Barniso, Cauayan police chief, said two groups were revving motorcycles with open pipe mufflers.
The suspect’s sibling allegedly threw a firecracker that hit the victim’s nephew.
Barniso said the suspect became angry, went home, and allegedly retrieved a firearm. He confronted the victim but was ignored and the suspect shot the victim.
The victim sustained bullet wounds and despite these injuries, he drew a knife and stabbed the suspect in the back and head while trying to wrestle the firearm away.
The victim was declared dead in a hospital.
The victim’s brother managed to disarm the suspect and turned over a .45 caliber pistol with three bullets and four spent shell casings to the police.
Barniso said the firearm was reportedly owned by the suspect’s father.
The suspect is under hospital arrest. Authorities are assessing appropriate charges against him.