Suspect in convenience store shooting identified

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police has named the suspect behind the shooting incident that hurt a delivery crew on July 7, 2022.

Major Shella Mae Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Station 1, identified the suspect as Joseph Castro Jaleco, a resident of Dumangas, Iloilo.

Sangrines said an informant positively identified Jaleco as the one who shot Jose Palacios, 34, of Garcia Apartment, Barangay Sto. Domingo, Arevalo, Iloilo City.

Sangrines said they will be filing a case for frustrated homicide against Jaleco.

Palacios, who hails from Sagay City, Negros Occidental, works as helper of JSL Delivery Truck Services.

He suffered a graze wound on his upper left wrist.

Reports indicated that the victim and his co-worker were unloading dry goods at a 7-Eleven branch at the corner of Jalandoni St. and Aurora Subdivision, Barangay Anita, City Proper when a misunderstanding ensued between him and the suspect.

The assailant drew an unidentified firearm from his pocket and shot Palacios.

The gunman, who was believed to be drunk and was wearing a half-faced black helmet, immediately fled on board a motorcycle.

The suspect was with a female companion when the incident happened.

Images of the suspect and his companion were captured by CCTV cameras, which helped in identifying the suspect.

There could no compelling reason for the suspect to shoot Palacios, except that he was deemed offended by the victim staring at his female companion who was wearing a pair of shorts.

Palacios’ companion alleged that the suspect immediately pulled the trigger after he took out the gun from his pocket.

The two delivery personnel were unloading when the suspect and the woman arrived. They even bought something at the store prior to the shooting episode.

When they went out, the gunman asked why they were staring at them.

He then challenged them by saying, “isog ka?”

The suspect’s female companion just managed to shout “babe” before they boarded the motorcycle.