Fatal shooting of 14-year-old student in Cebu an accident, says cops

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MANILA, Philippines — The fatal shooting of a 14-year-old student inside her house in Talisay City, Cebu while in the middle of answering her module, was a case of accidental shooting, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

The shooting was initially reported as perpetrated by an unidentified assailant who intruded the house of the victim, but investigations revealed that the girl was unintentionally shot when her brother’s revolver went off when it fell from his pocket.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo clarified that the initial report released by the Talisay was based on the statements of the victim’s relatives.

“Kausap ko po kanina yung mismong chief of police ng Talisay station ang totoo po ay aksidente po itong namatay dahil yung isang kapatid niya ay nalaglag yung baril sa bulsa at tumama po aksidente yung bala sa kapatid nya na during that time po ay nakahiga po,” Fajardo said in a press briefing.

(I talked to the chief of Talisay police, and the truth is the child was accidentally killed because her brother’s gun fell from his pocket, and the bullet accidentally hit the kid while she was lying down.)

She added that cases have already been filed against the victim’s brother, his girlfriend, and his father for cleaning up the crime scene and hiding the gun that killed the 14-year-old child.

Fajardo revealed that obstruction of justice complaints were filed against the three. On top of this, the girlfriend will also be charged with accessory to homicide, while the victim’s brother will face complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

The PNP official added that the earlier statement given by the relatives also became their grounds for filing the obstruction of justice case against the three.

“Dahil pinalabas nila na may pumasok doon sinira pa nila pinto para lang suportahan yung sinasabi nila na may pumasok doon at binaril yung bata, para palabasin na pagnanakaw ang motibo,” Fajardo explained.

(Because they made it look like someone intentionally tried to enter their home by breaking the door. To make it look like someone else shot the kid and robbery is the motive. )