Man shot dead outside church in Bacolod City

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A 59-year-old man was gunned down outside a church along Circumferential Road in Barangay Taculing shortly before noon on Sunday.

Police Capt. Rosalino Pugoy Jr., head of Police Station 6, identified the victim as “Efren,” a resident of Barangay Granada.

Initial investigation showed that the victim had just exited the church premises when a black sports utility vehicle (SUV) stopped nearby, and an unidentified person stepped out and shot him while he stood at the roadside around 11 a.m.

Recovered from the scene were a metal slug of an unknown firearm and six spent bullets.

Pugoy said the victim sustained gunshot wounds to the head, back, and ear and was declared dead at the scene.

The incident also damaged the windshield of a car parked outside the church.

No other injuries were reported, as church members were still engaged in an activity inside when the shooting occurred.

Pugoy said investigators are reviewing possible closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and dashcam recordings that may have captured the assailants and the vehicle used in the attack.

He added that the victim was reportedly employed as a driver at the church.

Authorities are waiting to speak with the victim’s children to obtain more information that could aid in the investigation.

Police believe there may have been more than two perpetrators involved.

Pugoy said church members reported having no issues with the victim.

He added that they are coordinating with Police Station 5 to determine the victim’s background.