1 dead, 1 injured in street violence

CEBU - A 19-year-old man was stabbed dead in barangay Punta Princesa while a 16-year-old boy was hurt in an early morning shooting yesterday in barangay Pahina Central.

Gerry Giuseppe Gatungay, a third-year college student and resident of barangay Basak-Pardo, was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center but failed to make it alive after sustaining several stab wounds to the left side of his body and to his back.

Initial investigation revealed that Gatungay was attacked at around midnight yesterday at the corner of Ganciang and Oliva Streets in barangay Punta Princesa while he was on his way home. A group of youngsters in black shirts was said to have perpetrated the crime for a still unknown reason.

It was responding officer PO3 Alvin Llamedo who rushed the victim to the CCMC where he was pronounced dead at 2:39 a.m.

Witness Elizalde Bustamante, 19, narrated to responding policemen that he was driving his trisikad in the nearby area prior to the incident when he was met by the same group of youngsters who told him, “ngita mi’g riot, part”.

He said he hurriedly left the area for fear that the youngsters might hurt him. 

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old boy was shot by two unidentified motorcycle-riding men early morning yesterday along Sanciangko Street, barangay Pahina Central.

The minor is a first-year high school student and is a resident of sitio Sto. Niño of the said barangay.

The victim said he was walking with his friends on their way home when the assailants stopped near them and without provocation, the driver armed with a handgun, shot him. He was hit in the right hand.

His companions scampered for safety. Although wounded, he managed to run towards his house and ask assistance from his sister who accompanied him to the CCMC.

A follow-up investigation is currently conducted by police to determine the motive of the assailants who fled after the incident. – Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)