More violence feared following shooting of Butuan clan’s scion

BUTUAN CITY — Residents here expressed fear that hostilities might escalate following the shooting of a scion of a wealthy family here last Thursday.

The police themselves admitted that they were having a difficult time getting statements from witnesses to the shooting of John Marco Mercado, 20, a resident of Barangay Libertad this city.

The shooting, according to reports, started from a mere verbal tussle between Mercado and a scion of another wealthy family.

Senior Inspector Iluminado Espina, police precinct chief, said his investigators were still clueless on the shooting.

Mercado sustained two gunshot wounds in the face when he was attacked near the Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative office fronting the Butuan Doctors’ Hospital along J.C. Aquino Avenue before noon last Thursday. He was rushed to Cagayan de Oro City for treatment.

Pedestrians reportedly scampered for safety after hearing gunshots believed to be from a caliber .45 pistol.

The gunman, along with two companions, fled on board a red Honda motorcycle.

Espina said a woman, who was with Mercado during the incident, remained mum on what happened as she feared for her life.

"Her testimony will shed light on the shooting since she was the one who came face to face with the would-be assassin," Espina said.

Sources close to the Mercado family said John Marco might not get justice for what befell him, alleging that a member of another wealthy clan here might be behind the incident.