Fruit vendor dead, store attendant wounded in shootings

CEBU, Philippines - A 40-year-old female fruit vendor was shot dead by two unknown persons in front of her mother while a store attendant was injured in separate shooting incidents in Barangays Talamban and Tejero, Cebu City on Sunday.

Vendor Emma Caballes, resident of Mountain View, Sitio Kalubihan, Barangay Talamban, died on the spot due to multiple gunshot wounds on her body.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim was selling fruits in the area when her mother, Benidecta Caballes, went to help her.

Upon seeing her mother, Emma walked towards Benidecta while the two unknown persons suddenly appeared and shot Emma several times using a hand gun hitting her in the nape, left side of her body, lower body and chest.

Emma fell on the ground while the suspects, riding on a motorcycle, fled.

The police recovered from the crime scene five empty shells of .45 caliber and one slug.

Senior Police Officer 4 Alex Dacua, homicide investigator, said they are looking at personal grudge as possible motive based on the mother’s statements.

“Tan-awon pa namo (personal grudge) kay base sa alegasyon sa inahan, naa daw na silay gipasakaan og kaso sa una,” Dacua said.

Meanwhile, a 45-year-old store attendant was injured after he was shot by unidentified person(s) on 13th Avenue, Barangay Tejero on the same day.

Joseph Tangpos, 45, and a resident of  Purok 1 , Cubacub, Mandaue City, was brought to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center due to gunshot wounds on the different parts of his body.

Initial investigation revealed that the victim was sleeping inside a makeshift store or eatery when the unidentified person/s suddenly shot him several times.

Lyndon Oban, 35, a construction worker and a friend of Joseph who was sleeping five meters from the victim, woke up after hearing the gunshots.

He immediately went to help the victim while the unknown assailants scuttled away.

Police report revealed that the victim had a fist fight with a group of teenagers the night before the incident. (FREEMAN)