17-10-2024 (MANILA) Manila police have apprehended a man allegedly connected to a lethal shooting incident at the Baseco Compound. The tragedy, which unfolded late Tuesday evening, has brought to light a intricate narrative of past conflicts and retaliatory violence.
According to the Manila Police District (MPD), a 26-year-old man succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds at approximately 10 pm on Tuesday. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, was pronounced dead at the scene.
PCapt. Dennis Turla, chief of the MPD Homicide Division, revealed a complex backstory to the incident. The deceased was reportedly a former suspect in a shooting that occurred in March 2024, which authorities believe was linked to illegal drug activities. Intriguingly, the two suspects in the current case were witnesses to that prior incident and had previously expressed concerns about threats to their lives.
“Our victim was a suspect in a shooting incident in the Baseco area several months ago,” Turla explained. “He was incarcerated but later released following an apparent settlement with the victim’s family. He had been free for less than a week before this incident occurred.”
Turla suggested a possible motive, stating, “It appears the victim may have been threatening the group, particularly the individual who testified against him in the previous case.”
The crime scene investigation uncovered four shell casings, a fired bullet, and three additional bullets, painting a grim picture of the attack’s intensity.
In a swift response, law enforcement arrested a 27-year-old man believed to be involved in the shooting. According to the police report, this individual allegedly provided the firearm to another suspect who remains at large.
However, the arrested man vehemently denies the accusations. “I was detained because I said I knew something about the incident. I’m not the one who fired the shots,” he asserted. He further claimed to have been a witness to the previous shooting involving the deceased.
Contradicting the police’s theory, the suspect refuted allegations of a preemptive strike due to threats on their lives. “I was at home,” he stated simply.
As the investigation unfolds, the arrested individual faces a murder complaint and is currently held in custody at the Manila Police District.
