Cop accidentally shoots bro

CEBU, Philippines -  A policeman has accidentally shot his younger brother while grappling for gun possession after the latter tried to grab his service firearm yesterday morning in Vasquez Compound, Espina Village, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

Police Officer 1 Lemuel Celestial, presently assigned as tourist police at the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, grappled for possession of his service firearm with his 27-year-old brother, John Rey, when the gun suddenly went off hitting the latter in his left jaw.

As of press time, the victim was in critical condition at the Chong Hua Hospital.

 Senior Police Officer 1 Ruth Violango, homicide investigator, said prior to the incident the policeman reprimanded his brother on his illegal vices. Violango said the suspect also confronted the victim for not remitting the collection of the rental fees in the compound. John Rey works as caretaker of the compound.

“Mao to iyang giingnan ang biktima nga ‘Nagsige pa diay ka anang bisyoha? Wa pa ka nausab?’ Nasuko ang biktima kay gibuyag siya sa maguwang maong giilog ang armas,” Violango said.

The confrontation prompted John Rey to grab his brother’s 9mm Glock pistol.

Police investigation showed that the gun was not pointed at the suspect during the confrontation. Violango said that the suspect’s allegations matched with the statements of the wife of the victim.

After the incident, the suspect immediately brought his younger brother to the hospital. Both Lemuel and John Rey will undergo a paraffin test to find out who pulled the trigger.

Violango said that Lemuel clarified that he had no interest over the proceeds of the rental payments being collected by his brother. The suspect added that he would feel embarrassed for his brother since there were times John Rey uses the collection of the rental fees for his vices.

Lemuel is currently detained at the Cebu City Police Office. He will face a criminal complaint for frustrated homicide.

This is the second shooting incident involving a policeman from LLCPO. In September, Inspector Rogelio Amoroso was also accused of shooting a waiter and a bouncer at Lotus Restobar in Barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City. — (FREEMAN)