Ateneo de Zamboanga shooter under pressure over grades; security lapses possible —mayor

The student who carried out the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) on Tuesday was reportedly under pressure over his grades and experiencing depression, Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso said Wednesday.

Olaso made the statement when asked about the motive and target of the shooter.

“Medyo ano 'yung bata kasi 'yung grades niya hindi mataas. Although he's an honor student, kaso may parang hinahabol siyang grades,” he told GMA News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(He's a bit [agitated] because his grades were not high. Although he's an honor student, he was trying to get higher grades.)

“So 'yung motive niya is 'yung teacher. Parang 'yun ang gusto niyang gantihan,” he added.

(So his motive is the teacher. It seems he wanted to take revenge.)

According to the mayor, the shooter was reportedly struggling with depression.

“Other than that, so he was depressed,” Olaso said.

“Noong binaril niya 'yung isang teacher doon, hindi niya natamaan. So noong medyo hindi niya nakuha 'yung gusto niya, lumipat siya sa ibang classroom. And naghanap na siya. Sino-sino lang binabanatan niya, 'di ba,” he added.

(When he shot at a teacher, he was not able to hit directly. So when he did not get want he wanted, he moved to another classroom. And he looked around. He started shooting at anyone, right?)

The mayor also said authorities were looking into possible security lapses as the shooter was able to sneak in two firearms into the campus.

“Siguro may lapses of security. Kaya nga, we're asking the school to investigate properly paano nailusot 'yan," he said.

(Maybe there were lapses of security. That is why we're asking the school to investigate properly to find out how this occurred.)

Two students were killed while several others were injured in the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City on Tuesday, according to a report of GMA News’ John Consulta.

The shooting involved a Grade 8 student who allegedly opened fire inside the school.

A Grade 10 student was killed inside a classroom, while the suspect later went to the fifth floor of the school building and reportedly shot himself.

Police said six students were injured following the incident.

Authorities clarified that most of those reported injured were hurt while trying to escape the shooting and were not directly hit by gunfire.

The Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office also reported that another student was injured, while 21 students experienced panic attacks, anxiety or minor injuries amid the incident.

The school was placed under heightened security as authorities investigated the shooting.

Classes at Ateneo de Zamboanga were canceled and the school declared a day of mourning for the victims.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is coordinating efforts to provide psychosocial support to students and other members of the school community affected by the incident.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered a thorough investigation into the shooting.

Authorities also appealed to the public not to repost or share videos of the attack online, particularly the sensitive footage of the shooting, to avoid causing further distress to the victims' families and the school community. —KG, GMA News