Doctor held for shooting QC worker dead

A doctor accused of shooting a laborer dead and wounding the victim’s teenage nephew was arrested Thursday night in Quezon City.

Dr. Arnold de Vera, 57, was placed in the custody of the Quezon City Police District’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit following the attack at the corner of New York Street and E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue in  Barangay Immaculate Conception.

SPO1 Cristituto Zaldarriaga said the suspect, reportedly a surgeon with a clinic at De Los Santos Medical Center, was being held for the killing of Erwin Laguidao, 27, a metal worker.

The fatality’s nephew and coworker, Renato Laguidao, 18, sustained a gunshot wound in the left shoulder.

Zaldarriaga said Erwin and Renato were employed as metal workers at House of Precast, a shop also along E. Rodriguez Avenue.

Police said the victims were having a drink with their coworkers at a bakery near their workplace when the shooting occurred around 9:10 p.m. Thursday.

Allegedly drunk, the doctor showed up at the bakery, shouted invectives at Erwin and Renato and then immediately left.

About 15 minutes later, as the Laguidaos were leaving the bakery, De Vera who was still in the vicinity fired at them, Zaldarriaga said.

Renato told police that De Vera had an earlier dispute with one of their coworkers, identified only as Randy, who had already left the drinking session when the doctor arrived.

The two men were rushed to the nearby St. Luke’s Medical Center, where Erwin died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Barangay watchmen who responded to the shooting arrested De Vera who yielded a .45-cal. pistol.