NBI pinpoints suspect in Nicole slay

Stray bullet victim Stephanie Nicole Ella (rigthmost) poses for a photo with other children on New Year’s Eve. Complimentary photo

MANILA, Philippines–The National Bureau of Investigation pinpointed the person who fired the shot that killed 7-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella in Caloocan City during the New Year revelry, Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said Tuesday.

Saying she cannot share details yet of the NBI investigation, De Lima said the suspect was “someone who is part of a group.”

She did not want to confirm whether this person was among the first group of men who were questioned by policemen after they acknowledged they fired their guns during the height of the New Year celebrations.

She said that the NBI medico-legal office had conducted an autopsy on Stephanie Nicole after her family agreed to it.

The NBI also has a witness on who owned the gun where the fatal shot came from.

Asked whether the NBI would arrest the suspect within the week, De Lima said it was possible.