Policeman shoots man running amok; bystander injured

Rescuers assisted two persons who were wounded when a responding policeman shot one of them for being unruly in Barangay Haba, Candoni, Negros Occidental, Friday. (Photo courtesy of Candoni Municipal Police Station)

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – A 35-year-old man who ran amok was wounded after being shot by a responding policeman at Purok Orchids, Barangay Haba, Candoni, Negros Occidental, last Friday.

Police Major Ruel Culanag, the town’s police chief, said the suspect was reportedly armed with a bolo and a screwdriver and was threatening people in the area.

Police warned the suspect to drop his weapons and asked him to surrender. However, the suspect allegedly attacked one of the officers with the bolo.

The policeman tried to avoid the attack, but the suspect continued to chase and assault him until the officer was cornered. This prompted the officer to shoot the suspect to neutralize him.

The suspect sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, while a bystander was also hit in the stomach by a ricocheted bullet, according to Culanag.

Both individuals were taken to a hospital and later discharged. Police recovered the two weapons from the suspect.

Culanag stated that the suspect will be charged with direct assault.