Trader shot dead in QC

A 32-year-old Filipino-Chinese businessman was shot dead by two armed men while he was driving his car with his wife in Quezon City yesterday morning.

Investigators theorized an inheritance feud with his relatives could have triggered the killing.

Victim Nelson Gabaldon, 32, who owns a steel construction business, and a resident of 70-E Lantana St., Cubao, sustained several bullet wounds in the body and died on the spot.

The suspects, armed with handguns, fled onboard a motorcycle toward the direction of Manila. Operatives of the Central Police District (CPD) said that no robbery took place.

Police sources, who asked not to be named, said Gabaldon could have been killed over an inheritance feud with certain relatives who contracted "hired killers."

Investigations showed that the incident occurred at about 7:15 a.m. right in front of St. Michael School in Barangay Sto. Domingo near Banawe street in Quezon City.

The police said Gabaldon and his wife have just dropped off their daughter at the school. The victim was about to re-start his car when the two gunmen approached the vehicle and shot him repeatedly, the police added.

The victim was hit in the chest and head. Prudence started screaming for help as the assailants fled. The victim died instantly.

The suspects were seen running towards Banawe street where a companion waited for them with a red motorcycle.

Meanwhile, a 37-year old drug user was arrested by the police for allegedly setting his own house on fire in Marikina City Monday night. The fire nearly killed the suspect’s family, the police said.

Hauled off to the Marikina Police detention cell as Alexander Solomon, a machine operator and a resident of No. 17 Rosal St., Barangay Malanday, Marikina City.

Investigation said the suspect, believed high on drugs, arrived home at around 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Unnoticed by his relatives, Solomon took a container of kerosene and poured its contents around the house. He then set the house on fire and fled.

But the suspect’s wife Cecille and sister Edna, who were then inside their bedrooms, noticed the fire. The two managed to put off the fire with water.

Shortly after, police operatives arrested Solomon who is now facing charges of attempted homicide and attempted arson. – Matthew Estabillo and Sheila Crisostomo