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 taking his own life. The harrowing event, which was livestreamed using a body-worn camera, marked the second school shooting resulting in death in the country within two months.
The distressing incident took place at the Ateneo de Zamboanga university campus in Zamboanga, resulting in the evacuation of hundreds of students after gunshots were heard in the high school building. Two individuals sustained injuries during the attack.
The perpetrator, identified as Grade 9 student Mohammad Mael Jalani, first targeted a teacher but missed, then proceeded to shoot a student on the fourth floor before ultimately ending his own life on the fifth floor, according to initial police reports.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that the assailant began firing indiscriminately, striking a Grade 10 student before taking his own life by jumping from the building. The tragic event was partially livestreamed on Facebook Live, with authorities planning to investigate the shooter’s gaming and chat histories to ascertain the motive behind the attack.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso confirmed that the suspect committed suicide after the shooting. The high school building where the incident occurred is located within a secure campus, distinct from the main campus of the university. In response to the tragedy, Ateneo suspended classes at all levels for two days.
Eye-witness Joe Darryl Jaron captured the chaotic scene after dropping off his child at the school and shared it on social media. Police later announced that the situation was under control, urging parents and guardians to follow the school’s instructions for picking up their children.
National police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured the public of prioritizing the safety of the school community and urged against sharing unverified information. The authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
One of the guns used by the perpetrator was reportedly owned by his father, a police commander. The father may face administrative repercussions for not properly securing the government-issued firearm. Despite efforts to enhance security in schools following a previous shooting in June, school-related gun violence remains a rare but concerning issue in the Philippines.