Trader kills wife, son then self over business losses

CEBU, Philippines - Allegedly distressed by his losses in business, an owner of a lending firm reportedly shot dead his wife and two sons, before committing suicide in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, around 11 a.m. yesterday.

Police identified the fatalities as James Co, 46; his wife Cindy Co, 37; and their sons James Martin, 10; and James Andre, five. They lived in Barangay Booy.

Based on the investigation by the Tagbilaran City Police Office, James drove his family to Barangay Dampas in their Nissan Sentra Sedan with license plate numbers WME 194 and stopped the car. The suspect then took a 9mm pistol and shot his wife and their sons in the head.

Tagbilaran City Police desk officer PO3 Joemar Miculob said a 17-year-old witness nearby heard three gunshots and decided to check what was happening. The minor witness then saw James standing near the car, then James took two liters of gasoline and poured it on and inside the car before getting inside and lighting it.

As flames engulfed the car, the witness heard another gunshot, police later said it was James committing suicide.

Miculob said they found suicide notes in the Co's residence and lending office in Tagbilaran City which were apparently written by James before he killed his family and himself.

In the note, James mentioned his losses in his lending business and that he already wanted to die with his family.

Police recovered the firearm from the crime scene.  — (FREEMAN)