The 18-year-old suspect in the shooting at Sta. Rosa Integrated School in Nueva Ecija died after shooting himself. The incident occurred Thursday after the suspect shot his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend inside the school.
The victim is still in critical condition and has not woken up. According to his grandfather, Elmer Oliva, his grandson was hit in the left side and has been in a coma since the incident. The victim has not yet been operated on because his condition is not stable.
The estimated cost for the surgery is around ₱1,000,000, something the family has difficulty saving up. Although they are receiving financial assistance, the family admits that it is still not enough.
The police have already seized the .22 caliber gun used by the suspect for ballistic testing. The gun does not have a serial number, so efforts are underway to trace where it was obtained.
The DepEd and local police have met to discuss tighter security in schools. Authorities are also encouraging parents to be more active in interacting and talking with their children to prevent such tragedies.
