Two students in critical condition following shooting in Nueva Ecija school
Two students remain in critical condition after a shooting incident at Santa Rosa Integrated School.
In a statement, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 said that the incident happened in a classroom in Brgy. Rizal around 10:45 a.m. on Aug. 7.
According to an ABS-CBN News report, an 18-year-old male student shot a 15-year-old female before turning the gun on himself.
PMaj. Williard Dulnuan, chief of PNP-Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija, told the outlet that the guard at the school's main gate barred a student from entering the campus.
"Sumunod naman po 'yung bata pero nung hindi [ng guard] namalayan, after magkaroon ng... Kasi 'di ba po may lalabas na po yung ibang estudyante, may papasok, mga parents na susundo, ang [batang lalaki] ay sumabay," Dulnuan said.
Initial investigations found that the suspect entered the school with a .22 caliber gun hidden in his waist. When he entered the victim's classroom, he drew the firearm from his waistband and shot the victim in the neck. He then shot himself.
Both students were rushed to a nearby hospital.
Local authorities are still determining the motive behind the shooting and where the suspect obtained the firearm. Authorities have also yet to confirm the relationship between the two students.
PhilSTAR L!fe has reached out to PNP Santa Rosa but has yet to receive a response.
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