DAVAO CITY — A heated argument between two families over their children ended in gunfire late Thursday night, January 15, after a condominium unit owner allegedly shot a fellow resident at the swimming pool area of Seawind Condominium, Km. 11, Sasa, authorities confirmed.
The incident happened around 9:45 p.m. at Tower 1 of the condominium complex. The victim, identified only by the alias “Ricky,” 46, a married man and owner of an auto shop who also owns a unit in the building, sustained two gunshot wounds to his right arm. He was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) for treatment.
Police identified the suspect as alias “Joseph,” 46, also married and a unit owner in the same condominium.
According to the Sasa Police Station 4, the two families encountered each other near the swimming pool when a verbal confrontation erupted, reportedly involving issues concerning their children. The argument quickly escalated.
Witness and condominium head guard alias “Raymon,” 35, told police that Joseph allegedly drew a handgun from his waist and fired twice at Ricky, hitting him in the right arm.
Startled by the gunshots, Ricky and his son fled back to their condominium unit to seek safety. The suspect, meanwhile, returned to his own unit.
In a twist, police said the firearm used in the shooting was later surrendered. The suspect’s wife reportedly turned over the weapon — a Medallion Ed Brown .45 caliber ACP pistol, loaded with live rounds and a magazine containing six bullets — to the on-duty head security guard, who then coordinated with Central 911 and responding police officers.
No spent shell casings were recovered at the scene, according to investigators.
Central 911 responders provided first aid to the victim before transporting him to SPMC. The suspect is now under the custody of Sasa Police Station 4 as authorities prepare the appropriate charges.
Police are continuing their investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the exact motive and whether the suspect has legal authorization to possess the firearm.
The incident has alarmed residents of the condominium, raising concerns over safety and the presence of firearms inside residential communities.
Authorities reminded the public that disputes, no matter how emotional, should never be resolved through violence and encouraged residents to seek proper channels for conflict resolution.