MANILA, Philippines — A teenaged boy died while his friend was injured in a shooting in their neighborhood on Sunday night in Quezon City.
Jerick Bayugao, 15, of Barangay (village) Payatas B did not make it alive to the hospital due to gunshot wounds in the chest and arm.
His friend, Nico Morales, 18, was injured in the attack perpetrated by a lone gunman on foot.
Inspector Elmer Monsalve, homicide section chief of the Quezon City Police District, said the shooting happened near the Noel Junkshop on Sagingan Street in Barangay Payatas B, where both victims also lived.
Witnesses recalled seeing the two boys just chatting outside the establishment at around 9 p.m. when a man armed with a shotgun showed up.
The assailant suddenly fired his gun in the boys’ direction and ran off.
Despite their wounds, the victims attempted to run away but fell after a couple of meters.
Bayugao was rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center but died upon arrival due to gunshot wounds in the left side of his chest and left arm.
Monsalve theorized that the attack may be linked to disputes between rival street gangs in the area.