A deadly shooting at a school in Tacloban has killed three people and injured five others, and has sent shock waves throughout the town and triggered a massive police investigation. Now, police say a child suspect has been arrested in connection with the attack that is described as one of the most terrifying acts of violence in the city in recent years.
The shooting took place in the middle of school hours, and there was panic among students, teachers and staff, witnesses said. There were panic-stricken scenes of gunfire on campus, and students and faculty took refuge in buildings; emergency workers rushed in. Security personnel and law enforcement officers rushed to the scene to prevent further casualties and protect those who could have been on the scene.
Three people lost their lives, and five people were injured with varying degrees of severity. The injured were immediately sent to nearby hospitals to receive emergency treatment. Some victims were reported to be in critical condition, and officials did not give details about their identities.
Police launched a large-scale operation by the time the shootings happened, and a child suspect was arrested for the shooting, the police said. Because the suspect was 13, authorities have not revealed his name and age as per juvenile protection laws. The circumstances surrounding the attack and whether anyone else was involved are still under investigation, police said.
A police investigation and investigators are interviewing witnesses, watching security footage and collecting forensic evidence from the crime scene, investigators said. But there are no official conclusions on what could be the motive for the shooting, and investigators haven’t yet reached any conclusions.
Children and families searching for information about their loved ones gathered outside the school and local hospitals. Students, staff and families who were affected by the events have been offered counselling and psychological support services.
School officials expressed deep sadness over the loss of life and pledged cooperation with investigators. Campus security measures will be assessed to determine what additional security precautions are needed if a similar incident occurs in the future, they said.
Local government leaders have called for unity and support for the victims and their families as the community grapples with the aftermath of the attack. Memorial activities and prayer services will take place over the coming days to remember those who were killed.
Experts are calling on the public to be wary of misleading information and to monitor their officials for updates, they say. But it is a story that is still fresh in Tacloban, and the community has so far found no closure and hopes the ongoing investigation will be able to provide answers and help prevent future tragedies.
