Cop accidentally shoots self while confronting jeep driver

A policeman accidentally shot himself in the right leg Tuesday after a heated confrontation with a jeepney driver over a simple traffic spat in Marikina City.

SPO1 Edmund Estanillo, detailed in Camp Crame, accidentally pulled the trigger of his caliber .45 automatic pistol while boarding his violet Mazda (UKY 173) car after a heated confrontation with Christopher Cruz, 24, a jeepney driver.

Estanillo sustained a gunshot wound in the right leg and was rushed for treatment at the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.

Initial investigation by SPO1 Bello Borqueta showed that Cruz was plying his passenger jeepney (TVN 768) with his son Roger, 5, bound for Cubao when the cop cut his path around 6 p.m. along J.P. Rizal street. With a drawn gun, Estanillo alighted and poked his firearm at the driver while walking towards him. Out of fear, the victim stepped on the gas to escape the fury of the policeman. The suspect returned to his vehicle and gave chase.

Estanillo fired a warning shot, prompting Cruz to step on the brakes. The cop parked his car in front the passenger jeepney apparently to make sure Cruz would not escape again.

Cruz claimed Estanillo opened fire, hitting a plastic board near him. He then approached and punched him in the face, Cruz said.

According to Cruz, Estanillo only stopped hitting him when he asked for forgiveness. When he cooled down, Estanillo rushed back to his vehicle but his gun went off while he was boarding the car.

Responding lawmen confiscated Estanillo’s gun. They also disarmed him of a loaded caliber .25 pistol. – Non Alquitran