A 16-year-old girl suspected of theft was shot dead by a neighbor in Pototan, Iloilo.

The girl was taken to the hospital but was pronounced there dead on arrival.

She sustained a fatal gunshot wound on the chest.

The suspect is a senior citizen.

The incident happened in Barangay Igang, Pototan.

The victim was identified only as a certain “Michelle,” while the suspect was identified as alias “Jose,” 65 years old.

Based on investigation conducted by the Pototan Police, the suspect heard noise dawn on January 24, 2026.  Alias “Jose” said that a person was trying to open the sliding window from outside of his “sari-sari” (variety) store.

When he saw the girl, he tried reportedly to confront her. However, the girl allegedly struck him with a piece of wood.

“Pagbukas niya ng pintuan, nakita niya na may tao doon. Nang nag-attempt na siya (ang victim) na hatawin ng dos por dos, that’s the time na binaril niya. Kung titingnan natin, more on self-defense siya kasi in-attempt siyang hatawin ng dos por dos,” said Captain Beberly Cataluña, deputy chief of Pototan Municipal Police Station.

Alias “Jose” pointed out that it was the third time a burglar sneaked into his store. However, he did not report the previous incidents.

Alias “Larry,” another neighbor, said he was startled by the gunshot.

“Ang ama ng biktimang si pareng Micheal, sinabi pa nga na kung bumalik pa (ang magnanakaw), banatan mo na, yan ang sabi niya. Hindi naman niya inakala na anak pala niya,” alias “Larry” said.

The suspect refused an on-camera interview with GMA Regional TV One Western Visayas. However, according to him, he did not recognize alias “Michelle,” and that he has no intention in killing the alleged burglar.

The girl’s grandmother surmised that another person could have coaxed the girl to sneak in the store, as alias “Michelle” does not have any derogatory record in their barangay.

“Kung walang nag-utos sa kanya… baka barkada niya or kung sino man na nag-utos sa kanya na gawin niya yun,” alias “Nene,” the grandmother, said.

A case for homicide was filed against the suspect on January 25, 2026.