Suspect killed by ‘accident’ after grabbing Manila cop’s gun

A robbery suspect linked to several holdup cases in Manila was shot and killed in detention early Wednesday morning after he allegedly grabbed the gun of a police officer.

The gun “accidentally went off” and hit Rodel Reyes in the cheek, according to an investigation report.

Prior to the incident, Reyes, a detainee at the Manila Police District’s Malate station, asked permission to use the toilet around 4 a.m.

When taken out of the cell, Reyes “overpowered the smaller Police Officer 3 Jexover Torrefranca,” the desk officer on duty, according to a report by  Police Officer 3 Jupiter Tajonera.

The suspect was able to grab Torrefranca’s gun. “During the ensuing scuffle for repossession of the firearm, the same accidentally went off, hitting Reyes in the cheek, causing his instantaneous death,” Tajonera said.

The report cited no other eyewitnesses to the allegedly accidental shooting.

It said the only other detainee, Bernard Ramirez, was asleep when the scuffle broke out and was awakened by the gunshot. Erika Sauler