Shooting of American: Cops ready with facial composite of suspects

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch now has the facial composite of the two persons believed to be involved in the shooting of American national Stephen Ray Gornto, 53, in Barangay Balud, Dalaguete.

Senior Inspector Ramil Morpos, PIDMB investigator, told The FREEMAN, however, that the facial composites won’t be released until after today’s case conference with the Dalaguete Police.

Based on the description of the witnesses, the gunman stood around 5’4, had long hair, big build, and was wearing sunglasses. A woman believed to be the lookout was also reportedly wearing sunglasses, stood about 5 feet, had short hair, had medium built, and looked like in her early 20s.

PIDMB is set to back track their files on guns-for-hire they have identified in the southern area.

Gornto was shot dead by an assailant on board a motorcycle while outside his rented house past 5 p.m. last Thursday. He was rushed to the hospital but was did not make it there alive.

Police recovered 13 empty shells and a slug of undetermined caliber of firearm from the crime scene.

Autopsy results revealed he succumbed to nine gunshot wounds. Two bullets were recovered from his chest.

Chief Inspector Benjamin Lara, medico-legal-officer, said there were three points of entry in Gornto’s body and six others in his upper extremities.

Gornto also suffered from fractures in his left hand and right thigh bone. Another bullet also his right thigh bone, which went through his chest.

“Ibig sabihin nito na down na ang victim when he was shot by the gunman kaya ganu’n ang trajectory ng bullet,” Lara told The FREEMAN.

Lara suspected that the gunman used a .45 pistol with full-metal jacket bullets.

Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac, CPPO director, is yet to assess the case if they are to create a task group. —/JMO (FREEMAN)