Man kills self at firing range

MANILA, Philippines - A man rented a handgun and shot a few rounds for practice at the Arms Corp. of the Philippines (Armscor) firing range in Marikina City Sunday before shooting himself in the chin.

Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Francisco Manalo ordered a deeper probe into the death of the victim, identified as either Joshua Bucad or Jochua Canlas.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Gabriel Lopez said the victim arrived at the range in a tricycle, and rented a .45 caliber pistol and bought 10 bullets at around 3 p.m.

After firing all 10 bullets, the victim asked for four more. Range officer Pacifico Mendoza said while teaching the victim gun safety, the victim asked him what time they close shop. Told that the range would close at 5 p.m., the victim asked that the gun be loaded and he took aim at the target as Mendoza assisted him.

Police said the victim warded off Mendoza, then pointed the gun at his chin and squeezed the trigger. The bullet pierced the victim’s head. The victim was rushed to the Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival. Manalo said they have no motive for the alleged suicide.