3 teenagers shot, 1 dies

CEBU, Philippines - An 18-year-old sales distributor died while his two friends sustained gunshot wounds after two unidentified assailants shot them at Barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City yesterday dawn.

John Stephen Estrera, a sales distributor of Global Tag Inc. and lives in Lower Hermag, Sitio Caimituhan, Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City, was declared dead on arrival after two unidentified assailants who were riding in a motorcycle shot him and his friends along Juana Osmeña St, Brgy. Camputhaw Cebu City at about 4 a.m. of April 20.

Estrera had gunshot wounds on his chest and right upper arm while his 17-year-old male friend who is also a distributor, was wounded on his right thigh. A female friend of theirs, aged 17, was shot on her left buttock. Both of Estrera’s friends have undergone a surgical operation at the Chong Hua Hospital and are still under observation.

Police said that the three victims were walking along the road with their friends who were also members of the Global Tag Inc. when two men on board a Yamaha Mio motorcycle who were wearing helmets shot them several times.

The suspects were coming from Aboitiz St., fired at the victims several times, and sped off towards General Maxilom Avenue.

Arnold Cruz, also of the Global Tag Inc. who was with the victims, said that before the shooting, the group were dancing at The Beat located at Mango Square when another group tried to agitate them by intentionally pushing them.

The incident prompted the victims to seek the assistance from the bouncer of the said establishment. They then decided to leave the bar, noticing that the group whom they complained against were observing them as they walked away.

After the shooting incident, the victims were immediately taken to Chong Hua Hospital where Estrera was declared dead on arrival.

The Crime Scene Investigation Unit (CSIU) recovered two empty shells apparently of caliber .45.

The Homicide Section of the Cebu City Police Office are still conducting further investigation on the incident. — (FREEMAN)