6 year old boy accidentally fired by councilor in Zambo Norte

Zamboanga City (The Redline News Philippines) - Shooting incident occurred at about 6:00 PM of April 5, 2017 at the house of Barangay Councilor Rudy Paler Verances, 33 years old, married of Purok Utanon, Barangay Lingasad, Polanco, Zamboanga Del Norte earlier.

The victim was identified as James Owen Bonifacio Cruz, 6 years old, resident of Purok Padaiton, Barangay Lingasad, Polanco, Zamboanga Del Norte. According to councilor Verances, as he arrived at his house, he heard a gunshot inside.

Upon verification, he discovered the victim with a gunshot wound on the left lower abdomen of James Owen.

Investigation revealed that the victim’s grandmother, Norma Mendoza Prieto, 52 years old, single, of same place, a housekeeper of councilor Verances, was at the kitchen, when she saw the councilor arrive and proceed to his room, and she saw councilor Verances holding a gun.

Minutes later, she heard a gunshot, said police.

When she turned back, she saw her grandchild with a gunshot wound according to the wirness.

They immediately brought the victim accompanied by councilor Verances to Zanorte Medical Center. Councilor Verances allegedly did not know what to do with the firearm and he threw it away somewhere on his way to the hospital.

Furthermore, nobody claimed who used the firearm. Allegedly, the victim and the children of councilor Verances played with the gun. Barangay Councilor Rudy Verances was brought to Polanco MPS for further investigation. Recovered at the crime scene was an empty shell of unknown caliber of firearm.(With report by PIO-PRO9/Posted by Becky D. de Asis-The Redline News Philippines)