19-Year-Old Man Injured in Accidental Shooting in Antipolo
A 19-year-old man in Antipolo City is now in critical condition after he was accidentally shot in the head while playing with a gun with his friend.
Based on the investigation, the gun involved was an old and damaged .38 caliber revolver that the two friends had found in Sitio Mahay, Barangay Bagong Nayon. Authorities later recovered the firearm from a room inside a house in the area.
Police said the two teenagers, aged 16 and 19, did not know that the gun still had a live bullet inside. While they were handling it, the 16-year-old accidentally pointed the gun at his friend. The firearm suddenly went off and the 19-year-old was hit in the head.
“Ayon po sa ating mga imbestigador, pinaglaruan po ‘yung baril ng magkaibigan. At pagkahawak po nitong 16-year-old na kaibigan nga po is aksidente po itong naitutok sa ulo at naiputok sa kaniyang kaibigan,” Antipolo Police CCADS chief Police Lieutenant Ken Ladyong Ada-ol said.
The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital. According to his family, he is in critical condition and had to undergo surgery. His mother shared that the incident was a tragic accident.
She explained that the boys believed the gun was broken and would not fire. They thought they were simply playing, not realizing the danger.
“‘Yung baril na pinaglaruan ng dalawang bata is galing din po sa mga barkada nila dito lang din po sa kanilang barangay. At ‘yung revolver po na ‘yun is loaded po pala siya ng isang bala,” Ada-ol said.
Authorities also learned that the gun reportedly came from other acquaintances within their barangay. It was later discovered that the revolver was loaded with one bullet.
The 16-year-old is now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development while the case is being reviewed.
Police reminded the public, especially young people, never to treat any firearm as a toy. Even old or damaged guns can still fire if they contain bullets. Authorities strongly advise that any firearm found should be immediately surrendered to the nearest police station to prevent similar tragedies.
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