KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato — A 35-year-old man was wounded in a shooting incident carried out by an unidentified assailant in the early hours of Wednesday, April 23, 2026, raising fresh concerns over nighttime violence in the city’s urban center.
Police identified the victim as Victor Pagaran, a resident of Barangay Nuangan, Kidapawan City.
According to initial police reports, the incident occurred at around 1:45 a.m. along Sinsuat Street in Barangay Poblacion. Pagaran was reportedly walking along the 3rd block of the area when a man riding a motorcycle suddenly stopped near him. The suspect, who was wearing a jacket, allegedly drew a firearm and shot the victim twice without warning.
Pagaran sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen and the right leg.
Emergency responders from the city’s 911 unit swiftly arrived at the scene and rushed the victim to a nearby hospital for immediate medical treatment. Authorities have yet to release an update on his current condition.
The gunman immediately fled the scene aboard the motorcycle, heading in an undetermined direction, complicating efforts to identify and apprehend the suspect.
Investigators from the Kidapawan City Police Office recovered one spent shell casing believed to be from a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene, which is now being processed for forensic examination.
As of this writing, authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the motive behind the attack and to establish the identity of the suspect. Police are also reviewing possible CCTV footage in the area and urging witnesses to come forward with any information that may aid in the case.
The incident underscores ongoing security concerns, particularly during late-night hours, as law enforcement continues to intensify patrols and monitoring across key areas in the city.