Man arrested in Iloilo City teen shooting

By Jennifer P. Rendon

A teenager died after a gun attack shortly after midnight Feb. 16 in Arevalo, Iloilo City.

The shooting, which killed 19-year-old Anthony of Project 1, Barangay Sooc, was caught on a CCTV camera, according to reports.

Reports said Anthony had been drinking with relatives and decided to buy cigarettes from a nearby store at about 12:42 a.m. Monday.

At the store, Anthony saw 42-year-old Samson, also from Project 1, who was drinking with friends, the reports said.

A brief confrontation followed, according to reports.

Police said Samson pulled a .45-caliber pistol and shot Anthony once.

Anthony was hit in the armpit, according to reports. He ran a few meters before collapsing on the pavement, the reports said.

Anthony was taken to Western Visayas Medical Center but died shortly afterward, according to reports.

Police said Samson fled the scene and went home.

Capt. Michael Tuburan of Iloilo City Police Station 6 said responding officers found the suspect hiding in a vegetated area near his house.

Tuburan said the suspect was intoxicated and spoke incoherently when questioned.

Police recovered a spent .45-caliber shell casing and a live round at the scene.

Tuburan said the firearm used in the shooting has not been recovered. Investigators are still determining the motive.

The victim’s cousin told police an old grudge may have triggered the attack.

The cousin cited a 2023 commotion involving Anthony and visitors of Samson, who had attended a birthday party at Samson’s house.

The visitors allegedly confronted and punched Anthony, and Anthony retaliated by striking them with a steel chain, the cousin said. They were pacified before the fight escalated, according to the cousin.

The cousin said Samson allegedly warned Anthony then that he would “put a bullet on his head.”

After that incident, the two sides had no further reported conflict until Monday’s shooting, the cousin said.

Police said they were preparing a murder case against Samson.