Dagger looks lead to shooting in Malate

A happy night out with friends turned tragic for a 20-year-old fastfood crew member, who was shot dead after he and his friends had exchanged dagger looks with another group of youths in a bar in Malate, Manila, last Friday.

Lou Anthony Sta. Maria, a Jollibee service crew member, died of a single gunshot wound in the head. He died before reaching the Philippine General Hospital.

Police Officer 3 Joseph Kabigting said the two groups were having drinks at Rey Charles Bar and Restaurant, located along Remedios corner Ignacia streets in Malate.

An argument and a near fistfight ensued, each side claiming the other was at fault. Cooler heads prevented a fight and Sta. Maria even approached the other group to make peace.

However, Jefferson Warriner, 21, a Batang City Jail gang member, later went to Sta. Maria and whipped him on the head with a caliber .38 revolver and shot him.

Warriner and his group fled but he, his brother Jeffrey and Valentino Villaflor were later arrested. Murder charges are now being prepared against the suspects.