CEBU, Philippines - A young businessman was shot dead by lone assailant while the victim was drinking with his friends at a store along Osmeña Street, Barangay Poblacion, near the public market of Lapu-Lapu City early morning yesterday.
James Villanueva, 25, of Sitio Timpolok, Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City died upon reaching the Mactan Doctors Hospital due to fatal gunshot wound to his back.
Villanueva, whose father is a top official of one of big companies inside the Mactan Export Processing Zone, was reportedly operating a business at the city public market.
SPO2 Rolito Jumao-as, investigator of the Lapu-Lapu Police Crime Against Person, said that the victim, accompanied by his girlfriend and friends were drinking at a store when a lone gunman approached from behind and shot the victim at the back.
Villanueva’s companions allegedly failed to recognize the suspect because he hurriedly left the place after the incident.
Jumao-as said they recovered an empty shell of .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene. He said they believe that the incident was business-related but they are not also discounting other possibilities.
The police investigator added that he would also meet with the family of Villanueva to gather information for the possible determination of the crime’s motive and the identification of the assailant. — Jose P. Sollano/WAB (FREEMAN NEWS)