ORMOC CITY — A 58-year-old farmer was shot and wounded after attempting to pacify a heated argument involving one of his neighbors and a relative in Talalora, Samar, on Thursday afternoon, July 9. Police later arrested the suspected gunman following a follow-up operation.
The victim, identified only by the alias “Dando,” a widower and farmer, sustained a gunshot wound to his right forearm during the incident that occurred around 5:20 p.m. in Barangay Placer, Talalora, Samar.
The suspect, identified by the alias “Boboy,” 32, a married motorcycle driver and also a resident of Barangay Placer, was arrested shortly after the shooting.
Police said they received a report about the shooting at around 5:50 p.m. and immediately dispatched personnel to the scene to conduct an investigation.
Initial findings showed that the suspect was engaged in a heated argument with one of his relatives when the victim intervened in an attempt to calm the situation.
Instead of backing down, the suspect allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired at the victim. Investigators said the victim embraced the suspect in an effort to stop the attack, but the latter fired another shot, hitting the victim in the right forearm before fleeing the scene.
The wounded farmer was rushed to the Talalora Rural Health Unit for medical treatment.
A crime scene investigation led to the recovery of two spent cartridge cases and a deformed slug believed to have come from the firearm used in the shooting.
Police later tracked down and arrested the suspect during a follow-up operation.
During questioning, the suspect reportedly told investigators that the firearm used in the incident had been lost while he was fleeing. Authorities said efforts to recover the weapon have so far been unsuccessful.
The suspect is now in police custody at the Talalora Municipal Police Station while criminal charges are being prepared against him.
(ROBERT DEJON)
