1 killed in Pateros hand grenade explosion

A 36-year-old drunken Filipino-American died after the hand grenade he was keeping exploded inside his house in Pateros early yesterday morning.

PO1 Jonathan Morales, officer-on-case, identified the victim as Randolph Strickland, of Barangay Sto. Rosario, Pateros.

Morales said the victim tried to persuade a store owner at around 3:15 a.m. to give him several bottles of beer which he promised to pay later.

The store owner, Cecilia Solidum, reportedly refused and a heated argument ensued.

The victim went home and brought with him a caliber .38 revolver and a hand grenade, which he used to threaten Solidum.

A bystander, however, tried to pacify the two. When Strickland went home, his neighbors said they heard a loud explosion.

Police probers said Strickland, who was drunk, could have accidentally pulled the grenade’s pin and it exploded, killing him instantly.