After road accident: Belgian national kills self?

CEBU, Philippines- A Belgian national is believed to have shot himself dead after he figured in a road accident Saturday afternoon in Barangay Casay, Dalaguete town.

Andre Josef Eniel Scheepmans, 54, was found dead inside his Toyota Innova with a .22 caliber pistol in his right hand.

Senior Police Officer 3 Cleto Pia, chief investigator of Dalaguete Police Station, said another foreign national reported to the police station about a vehicular accident involving Scheepmans in Sitio Bolocaue, Barangay Casay.

The foreigner asked for help to extricate the victim who was allegedly trapped in his vehicle. Pia said they immediately responded to the area where the accident happened and found the victim already dead.

The responding team noticed drops of blood coming out from Scheepmans’ mouth. They also found a gun in his right hand.

Dr. Jose Edgar Alonso, municipal health officer, pronounced him head after examination.

According to Pia, Scheepmans was moving some of his diving and office equipment from Boljoon to his house in Talisay City. On his way home, the victim allegedly tried to avoid a dog but lost control of the vehicle because the road was wet and slippery. 

Scheepmans rammed into the railings and needed to be extricated because both his legs were trapped. The police believe that Scheepmans was conscious after the accident because he was able to text his wife.

 “I met an accident. I met an accident,” Scheepmans text to his wife.

His last text to his wife was “I love you”.

According to the police, Scheepmans may have committed suicide inside the vehicle.

“Posible nga naghikog, ang armas naa sa tuong bahin sa iyang kamot ang iyang middle finger naa sa trigger guard,” Pia said.

The police also found an empty shell inside the vehicle and seven live rounds of ammunition for .22 caliber  pistol.

The victim may have been depressed after he parted ways with his business partner in Boljoon.  (FREEMAN)