Mall shooting deplored

MANILA, Philippines - The SM management have deplored the “unfortunate incident” that happened the other day at SM City Pampanga and said they are fully cooperating with the authorities.

Just before noon Tuesday, a 13-year-old boy shot his alleged 17-year-old male friend and then himself in front of a restaurant chain at SM City Pampanga. 

A suicide note found in the bag of the 13-year-old indicated that the incident was a crime of passion and of a personal nature. Both were critically wounded for bullet wounds in the head.

According to Senior Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, Pampanga police director who is heading the investigation, while security at SM City Pampanga has been constantly vigilant, the caliber .22 gun used was difficult to detect as this was so small in size.

SM said it has also exerted all efforts to help the two victims and their families.

“We apologize for whatever inconvenience or anxiety we may have caused our customers and wish to let them know that the situation in the mall is back to normal,” it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police yesterday said it was conducting a thorough investigation into the possible lapses in the security measures being implemented by security guards in the mall and another one in Quezon City where a shooting incident also took place. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Ric Sapnu