Neighborhood bully tagged in widow’s slay

A man who was earlier arrested in Quezon City for carrying an unlicensed firearm and disturbing his neighborhood now faces a graver charge: The murder of a widow.

Roger Lusica, 29, of Sampaguita Street San Roque 2, Barangay Bagong Pag-Asa, was subjected to inquest proceedings Saturday for the death of Melanie Penero, 49.

The woman was shot dead by a masked gunman Wednesday afternoon in front of her house on Sebastian Street also San Roque 2.

Lusica was first charged with illegal possession of a firearm, alarm and scandal and violation of the election gun ban on Friday after policemen spotted him brandishing a cal. .38 revolver and challenging anyone to a fight.

According to PO2 Gilmer Marinas, a female witness to Penero’s killing later came forward to tag the already detained Lusico as the gunman.

The witness said she was walking toward Sebastian Street when she heard a gunshot and later saw a man—who turned out to be Lusico—removing the bonnet covering his face as he fled the area.

Marinas said his investigation has yet to establish the motive behind the killing as Lusico remained silent about the incident. Julie M. Aurelio