Cop kills hostage-taker in Novaliches

A still unidentified man was gunned down by police yesterday morning in Novaliches, Quezon City, after he held a two-year-old girl hostage and stabbed her several times.

Policemen described the man as in his early twenties, of medium built, sporting a military haircut and five-feet-four in height. He sustained bullet wounds in the body and died on the spot.

The girl, Kyla Sorio, of Sauyo Road, Old Cabuyao, Novaliches, suffered at least seven stab wounds in her arms and body and is now in critical condition at the Tordesillas General Hospital.

Initial reports showed that the incident took place at about 10 a.m. along Quirino Highway, corner Suzauna Road, Novaliches.

The girl and her mother, Bernadette, were walking when the man, armed with a kitchen knife, suddenly appeared from behind and grabbed Kyla by the arm.

Responding policemen immediately arrived at the scene and tried to negotiate with the suspect, but instead of giving himself up, he started stabbing the young girl in her arms and body.

This prompted one of the cops, PO2 Nestor Bersario to fire two shots at the man, hitting him in the shoulder and chest. The suspect collapsed on the ground and Sorio was rushed to the hospital.

As of yesterday afternoon, investigators are still stumped as to the motive of the man, but said that the suspect could have been mentally-ill. – Mathew Estabillo