A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday at a high school in the southern Philippines, where a student armed with two pistols fatally shot another student before taking his own life. The violent episode, which was streamed live on a body-worn camera, occurred at the Ateneo de Zamboanga university campus in Zamboanga City, marking the second deadly school shooting in the country within a span of two months.
Following the sound of gunshots in the high school building, hundreds of students were evacuated as authorities responded to the distressing situation. The assailant, identified as Grade 9 student Mohammad Mael Jalani, targeted a teacher and a fellow student before ending his own life on the school premises.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that the attacker broadcasted the assault on Facebook Live, providing glimpses of the unfolding tragedy. Remulla emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the perpetrator’s online activities to shed light on the motive behind the heinous act.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso confirmed that the shooter had taken his own life. The high school building, where the incident transpired, is situated within a secured campus separate from the main facilities of the Catholic university. In response to the tragedy, Ateneo suspended classes across all levels for two days.
Eyewitness Joe Darryl Jaron captured the chaos on video, depicting the panic and fear that gripped the school community during the shooting. Despite the initial turmoil, authorities eventually brought the situation under control, urging parents to follow the school’s instructions for safely retrieving their children.
Notably, one of the firearms used in the attack belonged to the suspect’s father, a high-ranking official in the Bureau of Customs. The bureau’s deputy commissioner indicated that the father could face administrative repercussions for failing to secure the government-issued pistol properly.
While gun-related crimes are prevalent in the Philippines due to the widespread availability of unlicensed firearms, school shootings remain uncommon. This tragic event occurred despite assurances from law enforcement agencies to bolster security measures in educational institutions following a similar incident in Tacloban City earlier this year.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the school shooting, emphasizing the importance of verified information and urging the public to refrain from spreading unconfirmed reports that may incite unnecessary alarm.