Cops nab gunman in New Zealander’s murder in Biliran

Police have arrested the suspected gunman in the fatal shooting of a New Zealander in Biliran province, officials said on Thursday. Another suspect is being sought.

One of two men on a motorcycle shot dead Simon Rawlinson, 63, in the capital town of Naval on Wednesday, said Jimmy de Lima, a senior police officer. The suspects took Rawlinson’s bag containing money, a laptop and documents, he added.

Rawlinson, a longtime resident of nearby Maripipi island, was in Naval for a trip to the market when he was attacked.

De Lima said a witness led police to the suspected gunman, a local farmer. Found in the suspect’s house were a pistol, bullets and clothes he was seen wearing on security camera footage during the shooting. The motorcycle driver is still at large.

After taking the bag, the gunman approached Rawlinson, who was sprawled on the sidewalk, and fired a third shot, hitting him in the head, De Lima said. —AP