Rob suspect shot by gun champ

A suspected thief was shot and injured by Filipino international shooting champion Mary Grace Tan after allegedly robbing the side-view mirror of her car along Araneta Avenue, Quezon City Sunday afternoon, the police said.

Even if she filed a complaint of theft against the alleged robber, Tan, 25, was herself slapped with charges of frustrated homicide for shooting Noel Canchela, 18, in the neck and nearly killing him.

As of presstime, Tan was detained at the Central Police District (CPD) Station 11 detention cell awaiting the filing of the charge against her.

Canchela, of 114 Araneta Avenue, is now undergoing medical treatment at the East Avenue Medical Center.

The police said Canchela’s cohort, an unidentified male, managed to escape.

Case investigator Police Officer 3 Felipe Santos said the incident occurred at about 5 p.m. at the corner of Araneta and E. Rodriguez avenues.

Tan, of 22 Araneta Avenue, was driving her white Nissan Pajero (RVT-558) when she stopped at a traffic red light. She was with her mother and a female cousin.

The police said the two suspects crept up from behind Tan’s vehicle and tore off the Pajero’s side mirror and were about to run away.

Tan, however, alighted from the vehicle and confronted them. Investigators said Canchela allegedly pulled out a knife which prompted Tan to draw her 9 mm pistol.

Without saying a word, Tan fired a shot at the teenager, hitting him on the left side of his neck. Canchela’s companion scampered off after seeing what had happened to his friend.

Tan herself reported the incident to the police.

Tan placed second in the 12th World Shooting Competition held in Cebu City in 1999 where the RP shooting team won the overall championship.

Meanwhile, police are now hunting down two brothers and their unidentified male companion who allegedly stabbed dead two brothers and injured three others during a drinking spree in Quezon City Sunday night.

The police identified the suspects as Renato Alao, 39, and his brother Bong, both of Mount Apo Extension, Group 2, Area B, Payatas.

Victim Geronimo Ardiente, 36, died on the spot while his brother, Florencio, 33, passed away before reaching the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC).

Injured were Ramil Labasano, 27, Modesto Gatallo, and Crisalina Gimeno, 30, a relative of the fatalities. They are now undergoing treatment at the EAMC for stab wounds in the body. All the victims were neighbors of the Alaos.

Investigation showed that the incident happened at around 8 p.m. at the Alaos’ residence. — Nikko Dizon and Matthew Estabillo