Ballistic, autopsy reports indicate random shooting in Tacloban school

The ballistics and autopsy reports on the fatalities of the Tacloban City school shooting indicate that the victims sustained gunshot wounds inflicted from a distance.

According to Raffy Tima’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, the PNP Regional Forensics Unit 8 has completed its ballistics and autopsy examinations on the three students killed in Monday's shooting incident at the San Jose National High School.

Authorities stated that they are currently finalizing the official report for submission to case investigators.

Based on the results, the victims sustained gunshot wounds inflicted from a distance — an indication of a random shooting. The bullets reportedly struck vital organs, leading to their immediate death.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that authorities are set to file charges against the aunt of the shooter, alias "Nash," who is a police officer. She will face charges for violation of Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code, or negligence, for failing to properly secure her service firearm, which allowed the minor to access it.

The PNP chief added that the same charges could potentially be filed against the grandfather of the 15-year-old shooter, who is the alleged owner of the caliber .38 firearm.

“Sa damit po kasi ng victim pwede po nating makita doon ang indication ng possible distance kung malapitan ba o malayo,” said Regional Forensic Unit 8 OIC Police Lt. Colonel Lorna Santos.

(From the victim's clothing, we can find indications of the possible distance, whether it was fired from close range or from afar.)

Three days after the shooting incident at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, classmates, teachers, and parents continue to gather at a campus memorial to honor the memory of Nicole, Chris Lorenz, and Yancee.

Teacher Evita emotionally recalled how, moments before the shooting, Chris Lorenz had helped her carry her belongings into the exact classroom where two of the victims were later gunned down.

“Nung pagkalapag niya, sabi niya sabi ko, ‘Thank you.’ Nagsagot pa siya na, ‘Thank you, ma’am’. Parang sabi ko siya na yung tumulong, siya pa yung nagpapasalamat,” she shared her last interaction with her student.

(When he set the things down, I told him, 'Thank you.' He even replied, 'Thank you, ma'am.' I thought to myself, he was the one who helped me, yet he was the one expressing gratitude.)

Earlier today, Teacher Evita and several others underwent psychological first aid to help them decompress following the tragic incident.

The school principal said there were preliminary discussions regarding active shooter protocols that had already taken place prior to the incident.

Teachers were instructed to immediately close and lock classroom doors in such an event — a safety measure that the majority of the teachers reportedly executed.

“That is po the instinct of teachers also na pag may mangyaring ganun, dapat naka-lock yung, yung pintuan,” said Liezel Pulga, principal of San Jose National High School.

(That is also the instinct of teachers—that when something like that happens, the doors should be locked.)

She herself reportedly rushed to the middle of the school driveway the moment she saw the students fleeing.

“Para po hindi mag-stampede, nandiyan po ako sa gitna diyan, blinock ko na po sila para po hindi na sila makapasok. Because some of the students were rushing already, but they were guided by their teachers,” Pulga recalled.

(To prevent a stampede, I stood right there in the middle and blocked them so they couldn't head back inside. Because some of the students were already rushing, but they were being guided by their teachers.)

Firefighter Fire Officer 2 Ludwig Erick Soza returned to the campus. Soza, alongside a civilian police officer, successfully apprehended the 15-year-old shooter who had attempted to flee the scene following the incident.

Faculty members welcomed him back with warm embraces of gratitude, recognizing him as one of the many heroes during Monday's tragic shooting. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA News