Unknown gunman shots painter dead

CEBU, Philippines - A 39 year-old man died after he was shot in Sitio Kabayo-an, Barangay Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City Saturday evening.

Ruel Amores Ontong, a resident of the barangay's Sitio Sambag and a house painter, was reportedly sitting on a concrete bench at a dark portion of Sitio Kabayo-an around 8:30 p.m. when unidentified assailant shot him.

Police Officer 3 Joseph Rouel Cutanda of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office- Homicide Section said that despite a gunshot wound to the neck, Ontong managed to run for a few meters but eventually slumped to the ground and died.

Responding investigators saw no empty bullet shell at the crime scene.

Cutanda said that before the incident, Ontong was involved in an argument with a neighbor while playing a basketball game.

Ontong's body was brought to the Surelife Funeral Homes for autopsy.

A follow-up investigation is currently underway for the possible identification and arrest of the assailant after the incident took place. —/ RHM (FREEMAN)