Suspect in QC car dealership shooting arrested — NCRPO

Police on Thursday arrested the suspect in the fatal shooting of two security guards inside a car dealership on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday.

NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo confirmed to GMA News Online the arrest of the suspect who is identified as a fellow security guard of the victims. 

“Yes po, arrested na po siya kanina. Sa Tondo po (Yes, he was arrested earlier in Tondo),” Asilo said in a message.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said the hot pursuit operation was conducted by joint operatives of QCPD and Manila Police District (MPD) at a compound in Barangay 241 at 9:15 a.m.

Recovered from the suspect were the following:

• one unit caliber 9mm Rock Island pistol
• one magazine
• six fired cartridge cases
• two fired bullets
• one live cartridge
• bottles of liquor
• two cellular phones owned by the victims
• one upper uniform
• a security ID
• bagpack containing one unit infinix and several clothes of the suspect

The suspect will be charged with two counts of murder and robbery before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, according to the QCPD.

A closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed the suspect shooting his two co-workers at close range inside the establishment in Barangay North Fairview at around 2:10 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

“A cursory examination revealed that victim SG MARK JOHN sustained a gunshot wound to the head, while victim SG RENATO sustained a gunshot wound to the throat,” the QCPD said.

The suspect supposedly admitted to the crime during police interrogation and claimed that he had been bullied by the victims, according to the police.

Based on police and witness accounts, the victims were asleep when they were shot by the suspect. After the incident, the suspect reportedly fled aboard a taxi.

The suspect allegedly had resentment against the victims due to work-related issues, according to the police.

Investigators said that before the shooting, the suspect had allegedly approached an employee of another car dealership in the area and asked him to join in killing the two guards.

Other witnesses told police that the suspect had earlier mentioned wanting to kill someone and seeking help to do this. But they did not take the remarks seriously and did not think he was referring to his co-workers. 

“This successful operation demonstrates that even during the holiday season, the QCPD remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring justice for victims and maintaining peace and order in Quezon City,” QCPD chief Police Colonel Randy Glenn Silvio said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News