IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — A 22-year-old mechanic was declared dead on arrival at a hospital, while a motor shop owner narrowly survived after an unidentified gunman opened fire inside a repair shop in Barangay Sanito here on Thursday night, police said.
According to a press release from the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office (ZSBPPO), the Ipil Municipal Police Station received a report of the shooting at around 8:48 p.m. from a concerned citizen. Responding officers immediately proceeded to the scene at Purok Caimito, where they found two men lying on the ground with gunshot wounds.
The fatalities and injuries were positively identified as Amer Pandusan, 22, a mechanic and resident of Purok Simangal, Barangay Magdaup, Ipil, and Ryan Tan, 43, married, the owner of BRT Motor Shop and a resident of Top Mars 2, Barangay Veterans Village, Ipil.
Initial police investigation revealed that the two victims were repairing a motorcycle inside the shop when the suspect suddenly appeared and fired multiple shots, hitting both men.
Pandusan sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Tan, meanwhile, suffered three gunshot wounds to both legs and was taken to the Dr. George T. Hofer Medical Center in Barangay Tenan, Ipil, where he is currently receiving treatment.
After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene heading south of the town aboard a black Mio i125 motorcycle without a plate number.
Crime scene operatives recovered two deformed slugs and seven empty shells believed to be from a .45 caliber pistol, indicating the use of a high-powered firearm in the attack.
Authorities said the motive behind the shooting remains under investigation, while a manhunt is ongoing to identify and arrest the suspect.
Police urged anyone with information that could help solve the case to coordinate with the nearest police station as they intensified checkpoints and follow-up operations across the municipality.