A businessman was killed and his wife, a councilwoman, was wounded when a man, pretending to be a customer, shot them at their store in Barangay San Ramon West, Manabo in Abra.

Authorities apprehended several suspects shortly after the attack. The shooting took place around 1 p.m. on September 3, 2024.

The man, Rodel Bermudez, was declared dead on arrival at the Rural Health Unit, while his wife, Zoraida, sustained injuries.

Based on police investigation, the gunman pretended to be a customer before opening fire at the victims.

"Base sa mga witnesses natin, nakita nila na nasa loob sila ng kanilang pwesto ng bigasan [yung mga biktima], nang mayroong riding-in-tandem, bumaba 'yung backride at pinagbabaril na ang mga biktima," PCPT Rovisco Dulnuan, Acting Chief of Police at the Manabo Municipal Police Station, said.

In a hot pursuit operation, police arrested the suspects at a checkpoint in Barangay Layugan, Bucay. The suspects were riding a motorcycle and a pick-up truck.

"Bale base sa impormasyon, dalawa sila na nagco-convoy, nauna lang yung motor," Dulnuan said.

A man was on the motorcycle, while five others were inside the pickup truck.

Authorities recovered three .45 caliber pistols, a .25 caliber gun, and ammunition from the pickup.

The pickup is owned by a councilor who denied any involvement in the crime.

"Gugulong sana ang imbestigasyon, tingnan nila kasi wala kaming alam sa pangyayari... hindi namin inaasahan na ganito," the councilor said.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities still determining the involvement of each suspect in the shooting.

The motive for the attack remains unclear, as of this writing.