A 59-year old businessman shot his 24-year-old live-in partner and their two children dead, before turning the gun on himself, at about 6:30 a.m. today, Aug. 21, in Greenland Subdivision, Brgy. 4, Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.
The suspect, identified as Raymundo Diaz, was reportedly suffering from depression.
Police reports said that Diaz used a super 38 caliber pistol in shooting Mary Rose Egca, 24, their toddler daughter Ruth Esther, and infant son, Job David. He used the same weapon in killing himself afterwards.
With gunshot wounds to the head, Mary Rose and the two children were declared dead on arrival at the Himamaylan City District Hospital. Diaz died while being treated at a private hospital in Bacolod City, the Himamaylan City police chief Lt. Col. Romeo Vargas said.
Police investigations showed that Egca, who was supposed to mark her 24th birthday today with her family in Sitio Pucatod in Brgy. Payao, Binalbagan, had a heated argument with Diaz prior to the shooting.
Testimonies from the couple’s hired help, Analyn Cepeda, said that she heard Egca and Diaz arguing inside the house when four gunshots rang out.
Cepeda immediately sought the help of their neighbors, who reported the incident to the police.
Vargas said Diaz was still alive, when they arrived at the crime scene.
Recovered from the scene of incident were a super 38 caliber pistol with a magazine containing three ammunition, and four empty shells.
Police investigation also showed that Diaz was suffering from diabetes and pneumonia. – GB
