Businessman shot dead by cop in traffic altercation

A Western Police District (WPD) cop, who shot dead a businessman during a traffic altercation in Sta. Mesa the other night, is now under investigation.

WPD Homicide chief Senior Inspector Dominador Arevalo identified the suspect as PO3 Roman Rodriguez, 29, of 316 Altura Extension, Sta. Mesa, Manila. He is assigned at the Abad Santos Police Station in Tondo, Manila.

Initial police investigation showed that Rodriguez was aboard a Toyota Vios, with license plate XRC-464, and was cruising along Valenzuela Street with PO2 Arturo Ladia at about 11:30 p.m. when they reportedly nearly collided with a Honda Civic sedan driven by Ryan Fredeluses, 27, of 4020 Dangal Street, Sta. Mesa.

Police said the incident irked Rodriguez who was at the wheel and chased Fredeluses until they reached the corner of Bagumbayan and Dangal streets.

According to investigators, Rodriguez then approached Fredeluses and demanded to have his driver’s license.

It was at this point that Luis Fredeluses, the father of Ryan, who witnessed the incident, approached the suspect and asked what had happened.

Investigators said a heated altercation sparked between Rodriguez and the elder Fredeluses. Shortly thereafter, police said the suspect pulled out a 9 mm. pistol and fired at the elder Fredeluses, hitting him in the head. Rodriguez also allegedly fired indiscriminately to scare away the crowd and hit Ladia in the right thigh. The victims were rushed to the Ospital ng Maynila but Fredeluses was declared dead on arrival.

Initial police investigation also showed that the victim and his son were not armed at the time of the shooting incident.

Arevalo said they expect Rodriguez to surrender to the WPD Homicide section anytime today.