Nigerian national shot dead in Pangasinan

A Nigerian national was killed after he was several times by still unidentified assailants in the town of Calasiao in Pangasinan.

According to Claire Lacanilao’s report on GMA Regional TV “One North Central Luzon”, the victim - Christopher Clark - was shot several times by a group of car-riding suspects in Barangay Mancup. The victim died on the spot.

Recovered from the scene are seven empty cartridges of a caliber .45 firearm, a deformed bullet, and one live ammunition from a 9mm gun, the report said.

There is a CCTV recording of the incident, but the police opted not to publicize it while the investigation is ongoing.

“Kitang-kita na nung huminto [ang kotse] at binubuksan na ng biktima ang pintuan sa likod bigla na lang siyang binaril,” said Calasiao Police Station officer-in-charge Police Colonel Junmar Gonzales.

(You can clearly see how the victim tried to enter the suspects’ car when they stopped but he was suddenly shot.)

“’Yung assailant na una, nasa loob ng kotse, partikular dito sa backseat. Then tumakbo ‘yung biktima, napadapa bumaba ‘yung driver. Pagbaba ng driver ng kotse pinagbabaril din niya at the same time ‘yung tapat ng driver, ‘yung passenger sa may right side bumaba rin,” he added.

(The assailant was seated in the backseat. The victim ran but he tripped. The driver alighted from the vehicle then proceeded to shot the victim several times. Another suspect, this time the one at the passenger seat, also shot the victim.)

Gonzales said the suspects may have been Clark’s acquaintances.

“Nag-conduct kami ng case conference dito sa Calasiao, lahat ng investigators ng third district including sa may laylayan ng Calasiao, which is Dagupan, doon natin nalaman na may kaso na itong biktima ng murder. Hinihintay na lang ang warrant ng Dagupan City Police para arestuhin yung ano... kasi parang may alitan na sila noon pa,” he added.

(We conducted a case conference here in Calasiao. We gathered all investigators in the 3rd district including Dagupan. We found the suspect has an outstanding case for murder and the Dagupan police are only waiting for an arrest warrant for his apprehension….it’s possible they have a conflict even before.)

GMA Regional TV reached out to the victim’s family for a statement but they declined.

Meanwhile, authorities said the investigation is still ongoing to identify the suspects and their possible motives. -- Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA News