Wife ‘shot’ by husband

A 23-year-old woman was shot dead while she and her 25-year-old husband were arguing inside their house in barangay Poblacion Ward IV, Minglanilla town, southern Cebu.

Anna Mae Labrador was shot in the chest. She died while being brought to a hospital.

The suspect, William Labrador Jr., a construction worker, was arrested inside his house.

Labrador, who was drunk during the incident, said what happened last Wednesday night was an accidental shooting.

“Ako ra man unta to siyang hadlukon, iya man kong gilayog sad mao tong ningbuto na hinuon (I was just trying to scare her but she grappled for the gun causing the firearm to go off),” William said.

Labrador was also wounded in the left wrist.

Police said that prior to the incident, the woman, along with their two children aged three and four, went to her sister’s house to attend her niece’s birthday celebration.

Police said the husband reminded his wife not to stay out late.

The victim and her children went home around 10 p.m. and upon arriving repeatedly knocked on the door but the husband ignored her, police said.

When the husband finally opened the door, the couple started arguing.

Neighbors told police that while the couple were arguing, a gunshot rang out, said PO1 Wilmer Campo of Minglanilla police.

Police said the bullet pierced the husband’s hand before it hit the woman.

Police recovered a homemade handgun with an M-16 bullet. An empty shell of M-16 was also recovered from the crime scene.

Police arrested the man in their house.

Police said parricide charges will be filed against the husband.

The couple’s children will stay with the victim’s parents until further arrangements are reached by the Department of Social Welfare and Development regarding their custody.