GENERAL SANTOS CITY — A tricycle driver was injured after a heated traffic altercation escalated into a shooting incident in Purok KPS, Zone 2, Barangay Labangal, on Saturday afternoon, May 17, 2026.
Police identified the victim as Gabriel Araño Estorba, also known as “Alias Gabriel,” a legal-age male who was reportedly driving his Kawasaki Bajaj tricycle when he encountered a still-unidentified suspect riding a Kawasaki KLX motorcycle without a license plate at around 5:35 p.m.
According to initial police investigation and accounts from residents, the confrontation allegedly started as a traffic-related argument between the two drivers in Zone 1 of KPS, Barangay Labangal. The verbal altercation later intensified, eventually leading to gunfire.
Witnesses said the suspect, described as wearing a gray jacket, red helmet, and denim pants, suddenly pulled out a firearm and shot the victim during the confrontation.
Residents in the area said they were startled after hearing several gunshots, only to discover moments later that one of the drivers had been wounded.
Authorities said Estorba sustained a gunshot wound from a caliber .38 firearm. Responding police officers immediately rushed him to the nearest hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Barangay Kagawad Cezar Canoy of KPS confirmed that the victim was not a resident of their purok. Investigation revealed that Estorba previously lived in Bulakan and is currently residing in Barangay Mabuhay, General Santos City.
Following the shooting, the suspect reportedly abandoned his motorcycle at the scene before fleeing toward an unknown direction.
Police investigators are now conducting a hot pursuit operation to identify and arrest the gunman. Authorities are also examining whether the incident was purely triggered by road rage or if there were deeper personal conflicts involved.
Investigators continue to gather witness statements and review possible evidence from the area as the probe into the shooting remains ongoing.