Tricycle driver shot dead; three bystanders injured

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police are looking into grudges as a possible motive behind the killing of a tricycle driver in Barangay I in Hinigaran, Negros Occidental that also wounded three bystanders last Saturday.

The fatality was identified as Leonardo Espinosa of Barangay 1.

Police Captain Ryan Villasario, town police chief, said the unidentified lone gunman on board a motorcycle allegedly tailed Espinosa and shot him, according to some witnesses.

Villasario said the three bystanders – two women and a man – were hit by stray bullets and were taken to a hospital here and in the town.

Villasario said Espinosa had a passenger when the incident happened, but fortunately, she was unharmed.

Espinosa succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

Police recovered from the scene 11 fired cartridges, casing, and a fired bullet of an alleged .45 caliber ammunition.

Villasario said the victim’s family and another family previously figured in a misunderstanding that claimed one life.

“Possible may kontra siya (Espinosa),” the police chief added.

He, however, did not elaborate further so as not to hamper the investigation.

Villasario said Espinosa had no criminal record.