A tragic incident unfolded at a high school in the southern Philippines when a student, armed with two pistols, fatally shot another student before taking his own life. The heartbreaking event was livestreamed using a body-worn camera, marking the second deadly school shooting in the country within a span of two months.
The violence erupted at the Ateneo de Zamboanga university campus in Zamboanga City, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of students as gunshots echoed through the high school building. Two individuals sustained injuries during the attack, as confirmed by local police and city officials.
The perpetrator, identified as Grade 9 student Mohammad Mael Jalani, opened fire at a teacher but missed, before tragically shooting a student on the fourth floor. Subsequently, he proceeded to the fifth floor, where he took his own life, according to initial police reports.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that the assailant, while inside the building, began firing indiscriminately, resulting in the tragic loss of life. Remulla mentioned that the perpetrator livestreamed the attack on Facebook Live, showcasing snippets of the event. Investigation into his online activities and communication history is ongoing to ascertain the motive behind the incident.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso and law enforcement confirmed that the suspect committed suicide after the shooting. The high school building where the tragedy occurred is within a secure campus, distinct from the larger Catholic university grounds. Ateneo de Zamboanga suspended classes across all levels in the aftermath of the incident.
Eyewitness Joe Darryl Jaron captured the chaos on video, depicting the panic and fear that gripped students following the gunshots. Police later announced that the situation was contained, urging parents and guardians to follow school instructions for retrieving their children.
The national police chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., emphasized the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. He urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information that could cause unnecessary alarm.
Additionally, it was revealed that one of the pistols used by the perpetrator belonged to his father, a police commander with the Bureau of Customs in Zamboanga. The official recommended the father’s temporary suspension and potential administrative actions for failing to secure the government-issued firearm properly.
While firearm-related crimes are prevalent in the Philippines due to the abundance of unlicensed weapons, school shootings remain uncommon. Despite assurances of enhanced security measures following a previous school shooting in June, tragic incidents like these underscore the ongoing need for vigilance and preventive measures in educational environments.
