Gunsmith shot dead; killer takes piece of flesh

MANILA, Philippines - An unidentified man shot dead a gunsmith in Quezon City and took a piece of his victim’s flesh, police said yesterday.

Homicide probers said Manolito Adornado of Malolos, Bulacan was shot twice along Malabito street in Cubao at around 9:50 a.m. The gunman then walked away from the scene.

Police officers were shocked when they discovered a wound on the right side of Adornado’s body just above the waist.

“It’s like part of the flesh was sliced and taken,” Quezon City Police District (QCPD) homicide section head Chief Inspector Ben Elenzano said.

He told The STAR that they are puzzled why Adornado’s killer had sliced off a bit of his flesh, and whether it was a souvenir or part of the attacker’s signature.

Elenzano said Police Officer 1 Joel Gagaza is leading the investigation of the incident.

Probers recovered the victim’s cellular phone at the scene of the crime and were able to contact his relatives from Malolos, Bulacan.

Elenzano said the victim, who worked for the Bobby Suarez Gun Shop in Vicente Cruz, Manila, sold firearms or gun parts and would meet with his customers to deliver the items, as evidenced by the text messages he had received.

Avelino Domingo, one of his customers, told police he was supposed to meet the victim in the area where he was killed yesterday.