Man grabs cop’s gun, shoots self

A troubled security guard, who was allowed  to stay in the Sawang Calero Police Station San Nicolas police station for his own safety,  grabbed a policeman’s gun and shot himself in the mouth.

The 35-year-old guard from Cagayan de Oro City survived the suicide attempt and was confined at the hospital.

The bullet from the Glock 40 pistol of PO2 Antonio Tejero  broke the man’s jaw and got embedded in his  nape, said Chief Insp. Sara Jean Recla, chief of  the homicide section.

Tejero arrived at the police station at 10:45 a.m. and entered the  Intelligence Section room.

He was about to place his motorcycle helmet on the table when the security guard who was resting in the room  grabbed his gun.

They scuffled for the weapon but the guard got hold of the gun, cocked it, pointed it at his mouth, and fired, said Tejero.

Tejero said he took his gun back when the man fell down after shooting himself.

Policemen in the station rushed the man to the hospital.

Chief Insp. Noel Lomente, Sawang Calero police station chief, said the man wasn’t a detainee but was turned over by a friend for safekeeping after the man tried to jump off  the South Road Properties bridge the other day. The man’s friend told police the guard never confided about what problem was bothering him. / Chito O. Aragon, Correspondent

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please reach out to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). Their crisis hotlines are available at 1553 (Luzon-wide landline toll-free), 0917-899-USAP (8727), 0966-351-4518, and 0908-639-2672. For more information, visit their website: (https://doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline)

Alternatively, you can contact Hopeline PH at the following numbers: 0917-5584673, 0918-8734673, 88044673. Additional resources are available at ngf-mindstrong.org, or connect with them on Facebook at Hopeline PH.