A tragic incident unfolded at a high school in the southern Philippines when a student, armed with two pistols, fatally shot a fellow student before taking his own life. The incident, livestreamed using a body-worn camera, marked the second school shooting in the country within two months.
The shooting took place at the Ateneo de Zamboanga university campus, leading to the evacuation of hundreds of students after gunshots were heard in the high school building. Two additional individuals sustained injuries during the attack.
The perpetrator, identified as Grade 9 student Mohammad Mael Jalani, initially targeted a teacher but missed, then proceeded to shoot a student on the fourth floor before ending his own life on the fifth floor, according to police reports.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that the assailant broadcasted the attack on Facebook Live, providing glimpses of the incident. Authorities are planning to delve into the suspect’s gaming and chat history to unravel the motive behind the tragedy through a comprehensive forensic analysis.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso confirmed that the suspect committed suicide on the school premises. Ateneo de Zamboanga university temporarily suspended classes across all levels following the incident, emphasizing the safety of its students and staff.
Despite previous assurances of enhanced security measures in schools after a June shooting in Tacloban city, where three students were killed and many others injured, the recent shooting underscores the persisting challenges of firearm-related crimes in the Philippines.
The suspect’s access to one of the pistols was linked to his father, a Bureau of Customs police commander, raising concerns about proper firearm handling and security protocols. Authorities are urging the public to refrain from sharing unverified information and photos related to the incident to prevent unnecessary panic.