TWO individuals were shot in front of a shopping mall in Barangay 9, Bacolod City on Thursday, Feb. 12. (BCPO)
BACOLOD CITY – An 18-year-old man was shot dead and his companion was wounded in front of a shopping mall in Barangay 9 here on Thursday night, Feb. 12.
Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office, identified the victim as Christian, a resident of Barangay 6, this city.
Rebadomia said the incident was first reported as a traffic accident. However, further verification revealed that it was a shooting.
Initial investigation showed that the victims – Christian, the back rider, and Nognog, the driver – stopped in a traffic light when a man appeared and shot them in the head.
Bystanders initially believed the incident was an
accident.The victims were taken to a hospital where Christian was declared dead and Nognog recovering.
Authorities recovered two .38 caliber revolvers from the victims. Four spent shells from a .45 caliber firearm were found at the crime scene.
“We are taking this incident seriously. We will not tolerate this kind of violence in the city,” said Rebadomia.
Police are conducting backtracking operations and profiling the victims who are allegedly involved in robbery-holdup incidents here.
“There is a possibility that they are linked to holdup incidents, including the so-called ‘tuktuk kalawit’ modus, where suspects flag down tricycles and threaten drivers at gunpoint to steal their mobile phones,” Rebadomia said.
Authorities are also looking into their possible connections to illegal drugs. Investigators are examining the victims’ motorcycle to find out if it was stolen or legally owned.
Police have identified persons of interest.