Man who shot vendor during livestream arrested in Rizal
The Taytay Municipal Police Station (Taytay MPS) arrested the alleged gunman who shot a female vendor during a livestream in Taytay, Rizal on Saturday, Jan. 17.
A woman (blue T-shirt) is shot by a gunman while livestreaming in Taytay, Rizal. (Screengrab from the victim’s Facebook livestream)
The incident occurred on Friday night, Jan. 16, and was captured on the victim’s two-hour Facebook Live.
In the video, the suspect, who was wearing a face mask and a cap, was seen approaching the victim from behind before suddenly shooting her at close range in the head while she was working.
The victim immediately collapsed and was rushed by witnesses to the nearest hospital.
Authorities said the victim sustained a graze wound from a bullet at the back of her neck and is now in stable condition.
According to witnesses, the suspect calmly walked away from the scene and reportedly boarded a motorcycle that was waiting along a secondary road in Barangay Sta. Ana.
The Taytay MPS immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation, which resulted in the arrest of the suspect.
Motive behind the shooting
Based on the investigation, the 31-year-old suspect was the former partner of the owner of the store where the victim worked.
Authorities said a misunderstanding between the suspect and his former partner led to their separation, allegedly after the victim reported the suspect’s involvement with other women.
After the separation, the female owner managed the store and treated the victim like her own child, employing her as a vendor. This reportedly fueled the suspect’s jealousy, which investigators believed led to the crime.
However, the suspect denied the allegations and claimed he had witnesses who could attest that he was in Angono, Rizal, at the time of the incident.
The suspect is now detained at the Taytay MPS Custodial Facility and is facing a complaint for frustrated murder.
Meanwhile, police reminded the public that if they became victims or witnesses of similar incidents, they should remain vigilant and take note of important details such as the suspect’s clothing, height, body build, and the description of any getaway vehicle used.