American marine biologist shot dead in Negros Oriental home

An American marine biologist was shot dead after three unidentified men forcibly entered his home in Sibulan, Negros Oriental late Sunday night, police said.

In a report by Mark Makalalad on Super Radyo dzBB, the victim was identified as Kent Edward Carpenter, 73, who was reportedly watching television in the living room of his house with his Filipino companion when the men barged in at around 11:30 p.m.

Initial police investigation revealed that one of the assailants shot Carpenter in the head before the three fled the scene.

The victim's 34-year-old companion was also injured during the incident and is undergoing medical and forensic examination.

Authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the attack and are pursuing all possible leads.

The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has since activated Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) Carpenter to expedite the investigation.

According to PRO-NIR, investigators are conducting forensic examination, reviewing possible CCTV footage, interviewing witnesses, validating intelligence information, and reconstructing the perpetrators' movements before and after the shooting.

Police are also coordinating with other law enforcement units and partner agencies to identify and arrest the suspects.

"We strongly condemn this senseless act of violence. I have directed our investigators to exhaust all legal means to identify and apprehend those responsible at the soonest possible time," PRO-NIR Regional Director Brigadier General Romano Cardiño said.

"We assure the victim's family, the community, and our foreign visitors that this case is being treated with utmost urgency, and no effort will be spared until justice is served," he added.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to coordinate with the nearest police station or the Sibulan Municipal Police Station. — VDV, GMA News