A tragic incident unfolded in Manila when a 13-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his seven-year-old brother using their father’s service firearm.
According to an initial investigation by the Manila Police District (MPD) Homicide Section, the incident occurred when the teenager accessed the drawer where his father, a police officer, stored his 9mm firearm.
Details of the Incident
“Nabuksan itong drawer at nakita niya yung baril at sa hindi malamang kadahilanan pumutok po yung baril. Tumama naman sa isang cabinet hanggang sa lumusot po doon sa kabilang kwarto kung saan natutulog yung kanyang kapatid,” MPD Homicide Chief Captain Dennis Turla said.
(He was able to open the drawer and find the gun, then for an unknown reason, a shot was fired. The bullet hit a cabinet and passed through to the next room where his brother was sleeping.)
The bullet struck the seven-year-old on the left side of his back. He was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Father Faces Charges
The police officer, who owns the firearm, is now in police custody and may face administrative and criminal charges due to negligence.
In a statement, the father expressed his grief and consoled his 13-year-old son, saying, “Nangyari ‘yan baka pinagkaloob ng Diyos. Walang may gusto nun. [Sa aking anak,] huwag mo sisihin sarili mo.”
(This is probably God’s will. Nobody wanted it to happen. [To my son,] please don’t blame yourself.)
He added, “[‘Yung] nangyari sa mga anak ko, ‘yun ang pinakamabigat sa ‘kin. Mahirap tanggapin. Sakit sa kalooban.”
(What happened to my children is too heavy to bear. It’s hard to accept and deeply painful.)
Calls for Gun Safety
The incident has sparked concerns over the safe storage of firearms, particularly in households with children. Authorities are expected to reinforce the importance of proper firearm handling and security to prevent similar tragedies.