MANILA, Philippines — A Grade 9 student armed with two firearms killed a schoolmate before dying following a shooting at a high school campus in Zamboanga City on Tuesday, according to police and local authorities. Officials said the attack was livestreamed using a body-worn camera.
The shooting took place at the junior high school campus affiliated with Ateneo de Zamboanga University, prompting the evacuation of hundreds of students as police responded to reports of gunfire inside the school building. Police said two other people were injured in the incident.
Police identified the alleged shooter as Grade 9 student Mohammad Mael Jalani. According to the initial police report, he first fired at a teacher inside a classroom but missed. He then shot a Grade 10 student on the fourth floor before proceeding to the fifth floor, where he was later found dead after falling from the building.
Police said the student was carrying two firearms, reportedly a pistol and a rifle. They are also investigating how the student obtained and how they were brought onto the school campus. According to the initial police report, one of the guns was reportedly issued to or registered under his father, who is a customs police officer. Investigators are looking into how the firearm came into the student’s possession and whether proper firearm storage and access protocols were followed.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso said the student apparently used a body-worn camera to livestream the attack. Authorities are examining the footage as part of the investigation. Officials have urged the public not to share graphic images or videos of the victims and the attack.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the shooting and ordered law enforcement agencies to conduct a full investigation into the incident and determine measures to prevent similar attacks in schools.
“Our schools are where we entrust our children to learn, to grow and to dream about the lives ahead of them. They must also be among the safest places in our country,” Marcos said in a statement.
The Department of Education expressed support for the Ateneo de Zamboanga community and said assistance would be made available to affected students, families and school personnel.
Police are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the firearms used in the attack, including how the student gained access to them and whether there were lapses in firearm storage or security.
Authorities have not yet established a motive for the shooting. Investigators are expected to examine the student’s background, the circumstances leading up to the attack, the source of the firearms and the digital material connected to the livestream.
The incident has renewed concerns over school security and firearm access, particularly involving minors. Police and education authorities are expected to review security procedures at schools as the investigation continues.
In Zamboanga City, police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the school attack, including the student’s motive, access to firearms and the events leading to his death. Authorities are also coordinating with school officials to assist students, families and personnel affected by the incident.
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Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
