A tragic incident unfolded at a high school in the southern Philippines on Tuesday when a student armed with two pistols shot and killed a fellow student before taking his own life. The attack, which was live-streamed using a body-worn camera, occurred at the Ateneo de Zamboanga university campus in Zamboanga City. This marked the second fatal school shooting in the country within a span of two months.
The shooting led to the evacuation of hundreds of students after gunshots were heard in the high school building. Two individuals sustained injuries during the incident. The perpetrator, identified as Grade 9 student Mohammad Mael Jalani, attempted to shoot a teacher but missed before fatally shooting a student on the fourth floor. He then proceeded to the fifth floor, where he took his own life.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that the assailant livestreamed the attack on Facebook Live, showing snippets from the moment he entered the building until his final act. Investigations will delve into the perpetrator’s gaming and chat history to understand the motive behind the tragedy fully.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso confirmed that the suspect committed suicide. The high school building where the shooting occurred is located on a secure campus separate from the larger campus of the university. Ateneo suspended classes across all levels for two days following the incident.
Eyewitness Joe Darryl Jaron, who had just dropped off his child at the school, captured the chaos on video as students panicked and sought safety amidst the gunshots. Police later declared that the situation was under control, urging parents and guardians to follow the school’s instructions for picking up their children.
Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy to provide accurate information to the public. The national police chief emphasized the importance of refraining from sharing unverified reports or media that could incite unnecessary alarm.
In a concerning detail, it was disclosed that one of the pistols used by the suspect belonged to his father, a police commander. The Bureau of Customs recommended the father’s temporary suspension and potential administrative charges for negligence in securing the government-issued firearm.
While firearm-related crimes are common in the Philippines due to the widespread availability of unlicensed weapons, school shootings remain infrequent. This incident occurred despite promises from authorities to enhance security in schools following a previous shooting in June that resulted in multiple casualties.
The community remains in shock as they grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and preventative measures to safeguard educational environments.