MANILA, Philippines - Heeding the call for help of the family of seven-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella, several residents of Caloocan City turned over to the police slugs that they recovered after the New Year's Eve revelry with hopes that these would lead to the person responsible for the girl's death.
Superintendent Jack Candelario, Caloocan City Police Office spokesperson, said that the police and the family of the girl appreciate the help coming from the concerned residents.
"We thank concerned citizens for helping us solve the case by giving possible evidence," Candelario said.
He said the slugs have been brought to the crime laboratory for analysis.
Meanwhile, the police spokesperson appealed to the public anew to continue providing police information that may help them solve Ella's case.
Ella was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. Wednesday after her eighth cardiac arrest at the East Avenue Medical Center.
The girl was rushed to the government-owned hospital after she was hit by a stray bullet in the head while watching fireworks outside her home in Malaria district, Caloocan City.
Ellas is the second fatality from a stray bullet during the New Year's celebrations. Four-year-old Ranjelo Nimer died after being hit by a bullet from a homemade shotgun fired by his neighbor in Mandaluyong City during the New Year's Eve revelry.
Another stray-bullet victim, a 16-year-old boy has also slipped into a coma in Surigao City. The teenager has been transferred to a hospital in Butuan City.