Security guard kills colleague

A 42-year-old security guard who has just been removed from his post at a billiard hall in Sampaloc, Manila shot his coleague who replaced him and fired at billiard players before shooting himself with a shotgun.

Ariston Santos, 42, died on the spot from a shotgun wound in his chest while his colleague Robert Abrenica, 23, died on his way to the hospital. Both were employees of the Nieves Security Agency.

None of the billiard players who witnesed the incident were hurt.

Senior Police Officer 2 Virgo Villareal of Western Police District (WPD) Homicide unit said the incident occured at around 3:25 p.m. after Santos arrived at the Scott Burger and Billiards, located at the corner of Maceda and Dimasalang streets in Sampaloc.

Santos reportedly played billiards for a while but lost to an unnamed opponent.

Minutes later, the suspect reportedly proceeded to the cashier’s booth and grabbed the duty guard’s shotgun.

Abrenica tried to pacify Santos but he was instead shot in the hips. Santos then turned his ire on the players inside billiard hall and fired a shot. Fortunately, though, he did not hit anybody. He then pointed the shotgun to his chest and shot himself.

It could not be immediately determined if Santos’ removal from his post and reassignment to another establishment prompted him to run amuck. – Jose Aravilla