CEBU, Philippines – A 14-year-old boy was shot dead by a gang member yesterday dawn at the corner of F. Ramos and D. Jakosalem streets, barangay Cogon-Ramos, Cebu City.
Witnesses identified the alleged perpetrator as Jonas Ritualla, a resident of sitio Bayabas, barangay Zapatera, and reportedly a member of a certain gang called the Bloods.
Investigation showed that the victim was walking home with his friends past 2 a.m. when they passed by the suspect who was with his fellow gang members sitting by the road.
The gang members suddenly chased them and they ran. Ritualla then pulled out a gun and fired at the victim, hitting him in the left armpit.
The victim was rushed to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center where he was declared dead. It was later found out that the bullet hit his heart.
The gang was last seen running to R. Landon St., responding police failed to arrest them.
PO2 Lou Pagara said they cannot file charges against the alleged perpetrator as they are still not certain if he was really the one who shot the victim as claimed by witnesses. – Niña G. Sumacot/BRP (THE FREEMAN)