2 killed, 4 hurt in 2 shooting incidents

Two men were killed while four others were wounded in two separate shooting incidents perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men in the city Friday night and yesterday dawn.

The first incident happened when two unidentified men onboard a blue Kawasaki Aura opened fire at a group of men along D. Jakosalem Street in barangay Parian Friday night, killing one person.

Police investigators identified the fatality as Eugene Presbetero, 37, a sign artist. Those injured were identified as Angelito Reyes Sr., 42, Benjamin Dilao, 41, and Jonathan Tabada, 26, all residents in the area.

Witnesses said one of the assailants had long straight hair and chinky eyes while the other wore a bull cap.

The victims and two others were said to be drinking when the suspects arrived and started shooting at them.

Another witness said an ejecting shell from the .45 caliber pistol of one of the assailants even hit his face.

As the gunmen sped towards P. del Rosario Street, they even fired shots towards a group of people at a barbeque stall as they passed by, hitting a videogame machine.

Reyes, who was brought to the Visayas Community Medical Center, sustained gunshot wounds to his left thigh, back and right forearm. Dilao was hit in the mouth while Tabada suffered a gunshot wound to his right forearm. The two were rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center.

Presbetero, who was hit in the chest, was rushed by responding members of the Parian Police Station to Chong Hua Hospital but was later declared dead by the attending physician.

PO3 Henry Gutual of the Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office told The Freeman that the shooting may have been related to gang rivalries in the area.

In a separate incident, a 17-year-old dispatcher died after being shot by two motorcycle-riding men along Juana Osmeña Street and Gen. Maxilom Avenue in barangay Camputhaw yesterday dawn.

Police identified the fatality as Richard Jardin. Another victim in the shooting was identified as Earl Handin, 19, a resident of barangay Punta Prinsesa who is reportedly under critical condition after sustaining a wound to his forehead.

Police said Handin was crossing the street when the assailants onboard a red motorcycle stopped and opened fire. Some of the bullets hit the neck of Jardin who was sitting at the roadside.

Responding elements from Fuente Osmeña Police Station rushed them to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center where Jardin died later. — Edwin Ian Melecio/LPM