2 minors injured in another SM mall shooting
Another Shooting
PAMPANGA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) - Two minors were seriously wounded in a shooting incident inside SM Pampanga in San Fernando City shortly before noon Tuesday.
Supt. Wilson Santos of Mexico, Pampanga police said the shooting involved 2 minors in front of the Astrovision store at the mall’s Building 3.
Quoting police, SM said a 13-year-old boy shot his alleged lover, a 17-year-old boy, in the head. The boy, who used a caliber .22 pistol, then shot himself in the head.
The victims were first rushed to the Jose B. Lingad Hospital in San Fernando City. The younger victim was transferred to San Fernandino Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU), while the other was transferred to V.L. Makabali Hospital.
Santos said police authorities found a caliber .22 pistol, 2 empty bullet shells and 3 live bullets at the scene.
He said a suicide note was recovered from the younger victim saying he was willing to die with his companion.
“Parang lover’s quarrel. Tinitignan po natin ang kanilang relationship,” Santos said.
SM said a suicide note found in the bag of the 13-year-old "revealed that the incident was a crime of passion and of a personal nature."
"SM has also exerted all efforts to help the two victims and both their families are now in the hospital," the company said.
The police have yet to determine how the shooting happened.
SM deplores incident
SM management immediately deployed additional security personnel to assist authorities in the investigation.
A portion of SM Pampanga where the shooting happened was quickly closed off to the public and media.
Mall workers in that section were also ordered to vacate the area while investigations continue.
"The SM management deplores the unfortunate incident that happened today at SM City Pampanga and is fully cooperating with the authorities in this regard," it said in a statement.
"We apologize for whatever inconvenience or anxiety we may have caused our customers and wish to let them know that the situation in the mall is back to normal."
SM said that while security at its mall was "constantly vigilant," the gun used was very small and difficult to detect.
3rd shooting in a year
It was the third reported shooting incident in an SM Mall this year.
Last Wednesday (Sept. 14), Shella Macapugay shot and killed her husband, Abel, who worked as a sales clerk at the Homeworld store in SM North Edsa after he allegedly left her for another woman.
A security guard who tried to stop Macapugay from committing suicide after the shooting was also killed.
Last July 29, a security guard was killed in a shootout with Games and Amusement Board employee inside the restroom of SM Delgado Mall in Iloilo City.
Minor Shoots (Gay)Lover Inside Mall
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