• GILBERT P. BAYORAN / THERESA MAE DULMAN
A shooting incident during a fiesta celebration at around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, at Park Homes Housing in Sitio Buntoranon, Barangay Washington, Escalante City, left one person dead, and five others injured, including a minor.
The victim, alias Michael, who succumbed to multiple gunshot injuries, was reported by the police to have been declared dead on arrival at the Dr. Vicente V. Gustilo Memorial District Hospital
Five other persons who were hit by stray bullets were brought to a hospital for treatment of their injuries.
Pursuit operations conducted by the Escalante City police led to the arrest of the 48-year-old suspect, who gave himself up to the authorities in Brgy. Bulwangan, San Carlos City.
Responding officers from the Escalante Component City Police Station and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office recovered six fired .45 caliber cartridges, one live .45 caliber round, and two 9mm fired cartridges.
The suspect, who was reportedly a fiesta president, will be facing charges for homicide, frustrated homicide, and physical injuries, according to the Escalante City police.
In a statement, PRO NIR Regional Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay commended the ground units for the swift arrest but noted that the investigation remains active.
Police are currently working to determine the motive behind the shooting and identify any other individuals who may have been involved in the violence.*
