A tragic incident unfolded at a high school in the southern Philippines as a student armed with two pistols fatally shot a fellow student before turning the gun on himself. The distressing event, which was livestreamed 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 two months.
The shooting led to the evacuation of hundreds of students after gunshots were heard in the high school building. Apart from the two fatalities, two other individuals sustained injuries during the attack. The suspected shooter, identified as Grade 9 student Mohammad Mael Jalani, targeted a teacher and a student before taking his own life by jumping from the building.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that the assailant broadcasted the attack on Facebook Live, showing glimpses of the unfolding tragedy. Investigations are ongoing to delve into the shooter’s online activities and communication history in order to ascertain the motives behind the violent act.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso confirmed that the suspect committed suicide after the shooting. The high school building where the incident occurred is contained within a secure campus, distinct from the larger campus of the Catholic university. In response to the tragedy, Ateneo suspended classes across all levels for two days.
Eyewitness Joe Darryl Jaron captured the chaotic scene on video, posting it on social media as students sought safety amidst the gunshots. Police later declared the situation under control and advised parents and guardians to follow the school’s instructions for retrieving their children safely.
Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, with national police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. urging the public to avoid sharing unverified information that could cause undue alarm. It was disclosed that one of the pistols used by the shooter belonged to his father, who may face disciplinary action for negligence in securing the firearm.
Although gun-related crimes are prevalent in the Philippines due to the abundance of unlicensed firearms, school shootings remain infrequent. The recent incident occurred despite assurances from law enforcement to bolster security measures in schools following a previous school shooting in June that resulted in multiple casualties. Two teenage students were apprehended for their involvement in that earlier shooting incident in Tacloban city.