Hit by bottle, lawyer shoots 3 minors; 1 dead

By Freddie G. Lazaro

SANTO DOMINGO, Ilocos Sur – A minor died while two of his companions were wounded after they were shot by a lawyer in Barangay Qimmarayan here, Monday night.

Police said the lawyer-suspect, identified as Geofrey Alapot of Barangay Quimmarayan, earlier suffered head injuries after he was hit by empty bottles apparently lobbed by the minors at his residence, police said.

Chief Insp. HonestoLazo, Santo Domingo’s chief of police, identified the fatality as Gelvin Quines, 15, a resident of Barangay Santo Tomas, also in Santo Domingo. Quines died Tuesday while in a hospital for treatment.

Lazo identified the injured companions as John Edmar Mangolio, 17, who is also in hospital.

The other victim was identified as John Rey Jaramillo, who only suffered scratches.

Police said the suspect voluntarily surrendered while undergoing treatment in a hospital.

He claimed that the minors threw empty bottles in his house which hit his head, forcing him to shoot them.

He then escaped on board a motorcycle.

Police are continuing their investigation while the victims’ families are preparing criminal charges against the lawyer.

Meanwhile, a trike driver died and his passenger was critically hurt after a tricycle they were riding accidentally bumped into a truck along the national highway in Barangay Payocpoc Sur, Bauang, La Union last Tuesday.

Police identified the victim as Eric Balatero, 24, a resident of Barangay Central West, Bauang, La Union.

The injured victim was identified as Jaime Madriaga, 39, a resident of Lubrin Heights, San Fernando City, La Union.