Gang member’s gun kills pal

A teener chasing members of a rival gang in an aborted rumble was killed after a handgun drawn by a gangmate fired after he dropped it during the mad pursuit of their quarry Monday afternoon in Caloocan City.

Senior Superintendent Leo Garra, city police chief, identified the victim as Jamie Silvestre, 16, single, student, of 12th Avenue in Caloocan City. Silvestre succumbed to two gunshot wounds on the left chest and was declared dead on arrival at 2:40 p.m. Monday by attending physician Erick Macalintal of the MCU Hospital on EDSA where the victim was taken for treatment.

PO3 Joel Montebon, officer-on-case, said the victim and his pals were having a conversation by the roadside on Stotsenberg street at around 1:45 p.m. when they spotted two members of a rival gang in the neighborhood.

The victim, including his gangmates then gave chase to the duo who ran for their lives as one of their rivals whipped out a handgun of unknown make. The gang member dropped the weapon as they ran in pursuit. The handgun went off as it hit the pavement sending a caliber .25 bullet into Silvestre’s chest.

The victim’s companions stopped dead on their tracks, stunned and confused as Silvestre fell. He was taken to the MCU Hospital where he was declared dead. – Jerry Botial