Shooting Incident
POLANCO - Shooting
incident occurred at about 6:00 PM of April 5, 2017 at the house of Barangay
Councilor Rudy Paler Verances, 33 years old, married of Purok Utanon, Barangay
Lingasad, Polanco, Zamboanga Del Norte. The victim was identified as James Owen
Bonifacio Cruz, 6 years old, resident of Purok Padaiton, Barangay Lingasad,
Polanco, Zamboanga Del Norte. According to councilor Verances, as he arrived at
his house, he heard a gunshot inside. Upon verification, he discovered the
victim with a gunshot wound on the left lower abdomen of James Owen. Investigation
revealed that the victim’s grandmother, Norma Mendoza Prieto, 52 years old,
single, of same place, a housekeeper of councilor Verances, was at the kitchen,
when she saw the councilor arrive and proceed to his room, and she saw
councilor Verances holding a gun. Minutes later, she heard a gunshot. When she
turned back, she saw her grandchild with a gunshot wound. They immediately
brought the victim accompanied by councilor Verances to Zanorte Medical Center.
Councilor Verances allegedly did not know what to do with the firearm and he
threw it away somewhere on his way to the hospital. Furthermore, nobody claimed
who used the firearm. Allegedly, the victim and the children of councilor Verances
played with the gun. Barangay Councilor Rudy Verances was brought to Polanco
MPS for further investigation. Recovered at the crime scene was an empty shell
of unknown caliber of firearm.
