In Capitol Site and Downtown: One dead, one wounded from two shootings

One died while another is in serious condition from two separate shooting incidents in the city late Wednesday night.

Shortly before midnight, a 45-year-old jeepney conductor was shot at by one of four unidentified men at the corner of Osmeña Boulevard and Colon Street where the jeepney stopped for a red light.

The victim, identified as Luis Abad Jr., resident of Lapu-Lapu City, was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center but, few minutes later, the attending physician declared him dead due to a gunshot wound on the left part of his face.

Waterfront Police Station operatives, SPO2 Condrado Rocamora, PO1 Roweno Gabutan and PO1 Noel Bautista arrived at the scene and gathered that the gunman and his companions disappeared toward Leon Kilat Street right after the shooting.

Investigator SPO3 Zenaido Pastorfide Jr., said that Abad was the conductor of the jeepney, with route no. 21B or the Mandaue-Cebu route, driven by Esmeraldo Gabucayan of 666 C. Padilla Street.

Pastorfide said the investigation continues to determine the motive of the shooting and identify the suspects.

Earlier at about 11 p.m., a 24-year-old car watchman was shot by two unidentified men at the corner of Governor Roa and Camuning streets in barangay Capitol Site.

Angelito Lizaran had just finished taking his snack when two men, on a motorcycle, suddenly arrived and one of them alighted to approach and shot him several times. The assailants then quickly left the area toward Escario Street.

Bystanders brought Lizaran to the Cebu Doctor's University Hospital where he was operated immediately for the many gunshot wounds on his body.

Fuente policemen, led by SPO1 Elmo Yanson Rosales, arrived at the crime scene and gathered eight empty shells of a caliber-45 gun, and a deformed slug, which they turned over later to the homicide section.

Homicide investigator Pastorfide told The Freeman that it was the second time Lirazan was shot, the first time was on M. Velez Street sometime in March last year.

That time, Lirazan claimed he first yelled at a motorcycle-riding man who gave chase and shot him at the back.

Pastorfide said they are still verifying Lirazan's background if he has a police record and determine the motive of the recent shooting and identities of the assailants. - Norvie S. Misa