A rookie policeman was killed when his service firearm accidentally went off while he was playing with it in the Marikina City police headquarters Wednesday.
The bullet went through Police Officer 2 Rommel Allan Mendoza’s right temple, exited at the other side, and hit Henry Cruz, a member of the City’s Rescue 161 in his left cheek and is listed in critical condition at the Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.
Doctors said the bullet was still embedded in Cruz’s nape but they assured his relatives that his skull did not sustain much damage.
Mendoza died four hours later at the same hospital.
Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr., Marikina City police chief, said the incident occurred at about 5 p.m. in the Tactical Operation Center (TOC) of the local police, which also houses the Marikina City Rescue 161, where Mendoza was formerly assigned.
Witnesses claimed Mendoza pulled out his 9mm pistol and played with it and he accidentally pulled its trigger.
Cruz was standing near the policeman when the incident happened, said Ramos.
Because of the incident, Ramos reminded his men to strictly observe the rules of gun safety. – Non Alquitran