AKLAN — A 34-year-old mentally challenged man was shot dead after he allegedly went on a rampage while armed with a machete at the Jetty Port in Barangay Pook, Kalibo on the evening of June 28.
The victim, a resident of Tapaz, Capiz, was confirmed by his family to be mentally challenged.
Police identified the suspect only by his alias, “Jonard,” a resident of Barangay Pook, who was arrested shortly after the incident.
According to Lt. Col. Jerick Vargas, officer-in-charge of the Kalibo Municipal Police Station, the victim had allegedly caused a disturbance in the area while carrying a machete before the shooting.
Initial police investigation showed that the victim allegedly challenged a group of young people prior to the incident, which investigators are considering as one of the possible motives behind the shooting.
The victim sustained a gunshot wound to his left side. He reportedly managed to walk a short distance before collapsing in the middle of the road.
Investigators recovered one spent shell casing from a .45-caliber firearm at the crime scene.
Police immediately launched a hot pursuit operation that resulted in the suspect’s arrest.
The suspect will undergo a paraffin test as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities said the investigation is continuing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to establish any other possible motives./PN
