Five killed as father massacres own family

By Mydz Supnad

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – A distraught father massacred his own family before dawn Thursday killing four of his family members, then shot himself in the head here in Barangay 2.

Senior Supt. Samuel Amoyen, Ilocos Sur police director said Edwin Espinueva, 37, businessman, shot dead his wife Frances Roella Espinueva, 34; her daughter Carla, 16, a student of Divine Word College of Vigan; Estrelita Mendoza, 56, suspect’s mother in law; Jeffrey Mendoza, 30, suspect’s brother in law.

The suspect also shot his 7-year-old daughter Samantha who is now in critical condition.

Her chance of living is slim since she was hit in the head and chest with caliber 45 pistol.

 After killing the victims, the suspect turned the gun on his head and shot himself dead.

The family members are all living in a two – storey house in Barangay 2.

 Amoyen said that based on investigation, the shooting incident happened at about 1 a.m. 

Police said the suspect entered the room where his wife and his daughters were sleeping and suddenly shot them on their head causing Frances Roella and Carla to die on the spot while his other daughter was critically wounded.

 “Misunderstanding and tinitingnan namin dahil may mga instances na nag aaway silang mag asa na nakikita ng nanay at kapatid ng babae o asawa ng suspek,” said Amoyen.

 Amoyen said lawmen recovered  calibers 45 and  38  pistols used in the incident by the suspect.

 “We are still investigating whether the guns used by the suspect are licensed or not,” added Amoyen.